QUALITY CONTROL: Is it welcomed? appreciated? or resented and wasted?

The youngsters loved listening to their Grandpa telling stories of his life growing up in Canada.  He was  a lumberjack or logger, long before machinery modernised the industry.  Grandpa told how he loved his job of ‘rolling’ the logs under the feet as they moved them down the mountain stream towards the mill.  Log rolling, the art of staying on top of a floating log while “rolling” the log by walking on it, was a skill much in demand among lumberjacks.  The logs had to be kept in line and not allowed to mass, to keep them rolling down the stream.

He was the head logger and also had the responsibility of ‘grading’ the logs – much like the quality control measures of modern industry.  As well as keeping the logs rolling, his grading job meant he had to jab a sharp hook into some logs and separate them from the others, manoeuvring  them into a separate area.  Why?

He explained . . .

“All the logs may look the same to most people, but some are very different. The ones I let pass down the stream grew in the valley where they were protected from the storms.  Their grain is coarse and only suitable for general lumber. The ones I hooked and separated came from high up on the mountains, where, all their life they were beaten by strong winds and storms.  That toughened the trees as they fought against the wind to stay upright, and it gave them a fine and beautiful grain.  Those logs are MUCH MORE VALUABLE and are made into the finest quality furniture.”

God allows some of His finest saints
to be buffeted by the winds of adversity
so that they may be strengthened for His service
and prepared to fulfil His highest purposes. 

John 16:33  NASB
These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace.
In the world you have tribulation, but take courage;
I have overcome the world

Romans 5:3-5  NLT
We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials,
for we know that they help us develop endurance.
And endurance develops strength of character,
and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation.
And this hope will not lead to disappointment.
For we know how dearly God loves us.

1 Peter 1:7  CEV
Your faith will be like gold that has been tested in a fire.
And these trials will prove
that your faith is worth much more than gold that can be destroyed.

Job 23:10  NASB
But He knows the way I take;
when He has tried me, I shall come forth as gold.

I cannot say that I am glad when storm clouds come;
When days and nights are burdensome and long.
I like the peacefulness of sunny days
When life is bright and in my heart’s a song.

And yet I know the wisdom I have learned
Or any courage that my life displays
Was never gained in golden, sunlit hours,
But rather grew from dark and stormy days.

I’ve felt God’s presence closer mid the storm,
As I relied on Him to guide my way;
And through my trials I found a stronger faith
Enabling me to better face each day.

And so, I would not ask God NOT  to send
Those testings allowed by His loving hand;
For all things work together for my good,
And things once questioned, now I understand.
Author unknown