We take communion as a reminder of Jesus’ body that was broken for us and his blood that poured out for us on the cross. We eat bread and drink wine to remember what Jesus did for us, and it’s beautiful. But what’s our calling now as believers? It is simply to glorify God and spread the good news to others so they can experience the same grace we have.

So what is we are called to be broken bread and poured out wine for God now? For others. But how do we become broken bread or wine without first being broken or squeezed. I have prayed prayers asking for something like that many times: “God do whatever it takes to break me down and ripen and use me for your glory, for your kingdom.” I was convicted this morning though, of the part where I pray “whatever it takes.” Because I realized that I don’t really mean that. I am willing to let God break me down and sanctify me as long as he used the circumstances that I think would be best. Or he uses the people in my life that I think would benefit me most.

Oswald Chambers says, “Yet God can never make us into wine if we object to the fingers He chooses to crush us.” Dang. I may not like the circumstances that God uses to break me and crush me for something better, but Jesus didn’t either.

Matthew 26:39 says, “And going a little farther he fell on his face and prayed, saying “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.”” But because Jesus was obedient to his Father and for the joy that was set before him, Jesus endured the cross and was broken and poured out for us. (Hebrews 12:2)

So maybe we don’t like the circumstances God is using to break us down or sanctify us, but if this is what will ultimately lead me to greater joy and His glory then I must endure it no matter how painful the process is. We also don’t get to choose the timeline that it takes place on. If you squeeze a grape before it ripens, then the wine will taste bitter. It is the same for us. Sometimes I get tired of how long God takes to work on a sin issue in my life, but who am I to decide when I’m ripe? God sees the bigger picture, and I must choose to trust in his plan and his timing.