Formed by Time and Pressure

Cuando anhelamos una vida sin dificultades, recuérdanos que los robles crecen con fuerza, con vientos en contra y que los diamantes nacen bajo presión. Peter Marshall

My sister-in-law, Bettina, posted this quote by Peter Marshall today which I could not translate without the aid of Google translate, a handy reference in this modern age. (What could Nancy Drew have done with her quick-witted chums, her own ingenuity, and an iphone fifty years ago?!) As a fan of the late Dr. Peter Marshall, former chaplain of the U. S. Senate, and of his wife, author Catherine Marshall, I saw the name and was moved to check it further. Their son, the late Rev. Peter Marshall carried on the call to Christians in this country to remember the precious heritage of religious freedom we have that has allowed for Christian expression in the public sector. Some will say that we had; it merits serious reflection.

And, as we read more easily in our own language, I offer it here for those I know will appreciate it in a native tongue, in Russian for both Elenas, in Portuguese for Teresa and in English for most of us:

Когда мы долго к жизни без трудностей, напоминают нам, что дубы растут сильно, с встречными ветрами и что алмазы рождаются под давлением.

Quando almejamos uma vida sem dificuldades, lembrar-nos que os carvalhos crescer fortemente, com ventos contrários e que os diamantes são nascidos sob pressão.

When we long for life without difficulties, remind us that oaks grow strongly with headwinds, and that diamonds are born under pressure.

In this day of instant communication and data processing, there is no substitute for time and pressure to create things of value such as nature's majestic oak or a costly diamond. No shortcuts allowed. Just the real thing. We, too, are shaped and formed by such forces, but the result of time and pressure can create in us, character of lasting value.

May we remember that we are being formed and shaped by what happens to us, largely because of our response to what happens to us.

Are we resilient? Do we grow stronger in adversity, putting forth deeper roots and spreading our 'extremities' to better keep our balance in threatening situations? Let us not be defined or limited by external circumstances but be transformed through all that happens into persons who will withstand the pressures life brings and emerge stronger because we are rooted and grounded in the God of all creation.

For this reason I bow my knees before the Father...that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. Ephesians 3:15-19

FYI http://petermarshallministries.com/about/dr_peter_marshall.cfm