Seek Communion
Through communion with God, we can receive strength and power to conquer even the most crushing trials and transform our sorrow into beauty.
Charles E. Cowman preaches about finding strength and renewal in God during times of trial, using the analogy of a flower battered by a storm but revived by the sun the next day. He emphasizes the importance of seeking communion with Christ to receive the power to overcome challenges and find beauty in the midst of sorrow.
Text
"They that dwell under his shadow shall return; they shall revive as the corn and grow as the vine" (Hosea 14:7).
The day closed with heavy showers. The plants in my garden were beaten down before the pelting storm, and I saw one flower that I had admired for its beauty and loved for its fragrance exposed to the pitiless storm. The flower fell, shut up its petals, dropped its head; and I saw that all its glory was gone. "I must wait till next year," I said, "before I see that beautiful thing again."
That night passed, and morning came; the sun shone again, and the morning brought strength to the flower. The light looked at it, and the flower looked at the light. There was contact and communion, and power passed into the flower. It held up its head, opened its petals, regained its glory, and seemed fairer than before. I wonder how it took place--this feeble thing coming into contact with the strong thing, and gaining strength!
I cannot tell how it is that I should be able to receive into my being a power to do and to bear by communion with God, but I know It is a fact.
Are you in peril through some crushing, heavy trial? Seek this communion with Christ, and you will receive strength and be able to conquer. "I will strengthen thee."
YESTERDAY'S GRIEF
The rain that fell a-yesterday is ruby on the roses,
Silver on the poplar leaf, and gold on willow stem;
The grief that chanced a-yesterday is silence that incloses
Holy loves when time and change shall never trouble them.
The rain that fell a-yesterday makes all the hillsides glisten,
Coral on the laurel and beryl on the grass;
The grief that chanced a-yesterday has taught the soul to listen
For whispers of eternity in all the winds that pass.
O faint-of-heart, storm-beaten, this rain will gleam tomorrow,
Flame within the columbine and jewels on the thorn,
Heaven in the forget-me-not; though sorrow now be sorrow,
Yet sorrow shall be, beauty in the magic of the morn.
--Katherine Lee Bates
Sermon Outline
- I. The Power of Communion
- A. A flower's revival after a storm
- B. The importance of contact with God
- C. Receiving strength and power through communion
- II. The Nature of Trials
- A. Heavy trials can be crushing and overwhelming
- B. The importance of seeking communion with Christ
- C. Receiving strength and conquering through communion
- III. The Beauty of Sorrow
- A. Sorrow can be a teacher of eternity
- B. Sorrow can be transformed into beauty
- C. The magic of the morn can bring new life
Key Quotes
“They that dwell under his shadow shall return; they shall revive as the corn and grow as the vine (Hosea 14:7).” — Charles E. Cowman
“I will strengthen thee.” — Charles E. Cowman
“The grief that chanced a-yesterday is silence that incloses Holy loves when time and change shall never trouble them.” — Charles E. Cowman
Application Points
- Seek communion with Christ in times of trial to receive strength and power.
- Allow God's love and presence to transform your sorrow into beauty.
- Surrender to God's will and trust in His redemption and transformation.