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Our youngest son had been asking me to help him make jam for days. Nick had confidence in my jam-making skills, and the last time we made jelly together, we were happy with the results.
Since haskaps (a kind of blueberry) were high in pectin, we decided we didn't need any commercial agent that would turn the juicy mash in the pot into a firm jam. Making jam the old -fashioned way meant standing at the stove stirring the berries once they had come to a full rolling boil. This process definitely needed patience. The critical moment was supposed to be twenty minutes. Nick stirred the pot while I made sure the jars were washed, lids were in hot water, and water boiled in the big pot for processing the filled jars. A metal spoon chilled in the freezer, ready to test the contents of the pot at the twenty-minute mark. A blob of firm jam on the ice-cold spoon meant we could ladle the jam into jars.
How satisfying to see the finished product displayed on the counter! Nick crowed triumphantly as each jar gave off a satisfactory “ping” as it cooled. Seeing the jars of deep purple jam, properly sealed, was indeed a miracle of transformation. The haskap berries could be enjoyed for many months in their new state.
Just as the mashed berries in the pot underwent a change, Christians enjoy miraculous transformation in their lives as well. Romans 8:20 says, “Against its will, all creation was subjected to God’s curse. But with eager hope, the creation looks forward to the day when it will join God’s children in glorious freedom from death and decay.” (NLT) When we first say “Yes!” to the Holy Spirit, and Jesus comes into our lives, our spirit is transformed. We have moved from death and decay to life. We have the hope that one day we will be with our heavenly Father himself, and come into full completion of our being.
One day our bodies as well will undergo transformation: “These dying bodies cannot inherit what will last forever.” (1 Corinthians 15:50 NLT) Our bodies wouldn't be able to bear the grandeur and magnificence of God when we meet Him face-to-face. We'll need a new, different kind of body, one with which we'll be able to spend eternity with Him. “For our dying bodies must be transformed into bodies that will never die; our mortal bodies must be transformed into immortal bodies.” (I Corinthians 15:53 NLT).
"Before he left, he [a nobleman] called together ten of his servants and divided among them ten pounds of silver, saying, ‘Invest this for me while I am gone.’" (Luke 19:13 NLT)
We need patience, just like in jam-making, as we wait for our imperfect bodies to be exchanged for heavenly bodies. Before God chooses to take us to our real home, let's not be idle. Even though this moment is up to the Lord, we need to take care of our earthly bodies, living as healthily as possible. We need to use our time wisely. We need to invest in others using our particular gifts.
Lord, help us to have patience as we wait to be transformed completely in Your glorious kingdom. We pray in Jesus' name. Amen.
Alice Bunett
Red Deer, Alberta, Canada
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