Sister Tarpley’s column: Confrontation with God

“They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of His splendor.” Isaiah 61:3b

The story is told of a man angry with God, he said, “God is this the way You treat someone who is faithful to You?”  I yelled out loud on the top of the wooded hill where no one but God could hear me.  “I have waited and waited and now this!  I hate You God!  I have had enough!”  Those were my words that day as I wrestled with news of an event that devastated me to the point where I broke down weeping.

As I sat there among the trees deciding what else I could say to God, I was speechless.  I was angry and confused.  I wondered if He even existed.  If He did, I felt like He really didn’t honor my faith and obedience.  I sat for hours wrestling internally with my feelings.

Finally, without answers and sensing that God wasn’t answering me, I turned to leave.  I had been sitting on an old oak tree that was broken at the base. The tree pointed toward the base of another huge oak tree.  Finally, a still quiet voice inside said, “Today, like this broken oak tree you are sitting on, you are a broken man.  But this brokenness was needed in order for you to become this large oak tree you see.”

Months and even years had passed with many struggles.  But God was true to His word that day.  He began to replace the pain and disappointment with an inner joy that only His grace could provide.

Have you ever wrestled with the events of life, feeling that God has deserted you?  Have you been honest with God? He is the kind of Father who is willing to have those difficult conversations.  He won’t always change things, but His purposes will be accomplished and peace will come if you trust Him.

God said, “. . . I will refine them like silver and test them like gold.  They will call on My name and I will answer them; I will say, ‘They are My people,’ and they will say, ‘The Lord is our God.’ ” Zechariah 13:9

The story is also told of an owner of an advertising agency.  Over the years, the man had worked on many different and prestigious accounts.  One was for Steinway Pianos, the maker of the world’s finest pianos.  Each piano has always been made from scratch; it takes over a year to make one Steinway.

The most impressive scene as I toured the manufacturing plant was the place where the soundboard is stretched to its maximum tolerance and allowed to sit for an extended period until it remains in the curved design.  This was done in an off-to-the-corner part of the plant.  If the wood were alive, it would be crying out for mercy.

After an extended time of stretching, the wood will never spring back to its original state.  It is permanently changed.  The piano is becoming a fine-tuned instrument.  After this process takes place, the next step requires another point of stress.  It takes 11 tons of pressure on a piano to tune it.  Each step in the process moves the piano closer to a finished product that will ultimately be played by the world’s finest musicians.  These musicians desire a particular sound that only a piano like this can make.

God looks at each of us as a fine-tuned instrument.  However, we begin as rough wood that He desires to transform into gold.  Tuning us requires certain experiences that will stretch our faith, our frame, and our very life.  Sainthood springs out of suffering.  If we can stand the strain of this intense process, we will come forth as gold, as a sweet-smelling offering to our Maker.

When we are in the midst of these times, it feels like fire.  It is painful to be stretched beyond our perceived limits, but the Lord knows this is necessary for us to become an instrument that can play a beautiful song that others will seek after.