“When life gives you lemons, make lemonade.” Honestly I have no idea who was the first to say it so forgive me for not referencing it, other than to say I did not write it.
I take it to mean that when things get tough, make the best of it, but I want to talk about the tough for a minute. I want to talk about the lemon.
The lemon represents the circumstances we can’t control. If we follow Christ we are to expect lemons. it says so…
12Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. 13But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. 1Peter 4:12-13NIV
When trials come I am still surprised, but according to this I am not to make lemonade as much as I am to praise God for the lemon.
The world tells us lemons in life are bad and we should turn them into something better because everything should be happy and perfect and that it is attainable if we try hard enough.
But the Bible says in verse 13 to:
“rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed.”
Sorry, this is hard for me. My humanness rebels discomfort, fear, confrontation, and disappointment…so to actually live out this scripture I have to take a long hard look in the mirror, but I also have to make the decision to be deliberate about how I look at my life.
This tells me I need to come to terms with the lemon when it comes, and it will come, the Bible says so, and it tells me not to be surprised when it does. I should not be afraid of it but embrace it. My human mind seeks comfort and happiness. My spirit seeks:
3“Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4Blessed are those who mourn,
for they will be comforted.
5Blessed are the meek,
for they will inherit the earth.
6Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they will be filled.
7Blessed are the merciful,
for they will be shown mercy.
8Blessed are the pure in heart,
for they will see God.
9Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called sons of God.
10Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me.12Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven; for in the same way they persecuted the prophets before you. Matthew 5:3-12
These scriptures are far from my definition of comfort and happiness. These define lemons. Lemons are sour and not fun to just eat alone, but if I remember these truths, and that His ways are not my ways, I can rest in God’s goodness.
Read only the second line of verses 3-10 these promises are worth the lemons. For years I focused on how to make lemonade, but that was just me trying to control life. When will I accept that I am powerless and that trusting God is the only way. I am giving God my lemons.
Dear Heavenly Father, When I get lemons teach me to look to You, to praise You, and to rest in You and Your goodness, because all my life You have been faithful. Forgive me for craving the worlds comfort over Yours. I will not make lemonade I will look for Your glory to be revealed. Amen
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