‘God husk-ed’ and Wheat Sifting

Do you understand what it means when wheat is sifted?
Do you know the process of separating the wheat from the chaff?
Do you know what the chaff is?

According to an online search:

The purpose of sifting wheat is not to destroy it but to remove the chaff – the dust, husks, and impurities. While the sifting process is uncomfortable and even painful, but it is effective. When we are sifted as wheat there is an assurance that we will emerge free from impurities.

Would you know if you had been ‘God husk-ed’?

I didn’t until yesterday morning when I was reading my Bible in the book of Luke about Peter which then lead to a reading in Job. The house was quiet. It was early. My beloved was still sleeping. I could hear the soft hum of the furnace filling our home with warm heat. I was sitting there in my reading spot with a soft, light blue blanket thrown over my legs, coffee to my left on the side table with the lamp on. There was a soft glow cast over the room. Peaceful.

Until…..

How would you feel to know that someone in authority over you has given your enemy full permission to attack you? The only thing that was off limits was the taking of your life!

This enemy could make you sick; cause you to lose relationships; tell you where you can go and what you can do; have your job taken away; harm your children; stunt your success and so much more! The only thing he couldn’t do would be is to take your life.

Life Experience…..

There was an older man who experienced something similar to this. He loved God passionately. He was a good man. He did his best to live an upstanding life and he offered up payment for his children daily just in case they’d messed up. He woke up one morning and soon discovered every one of his children and their families had been destroyed along with all their possessions. Soon thereafter, he himself was attacked causing him to lose his material possessions then he ended up with a dreaded disease. His body was sick with some horrible virus!

Many, including his wife, told he should just give up and die!

But you know what??

Even though it took months he did not give up. He remained steadfast. He kept holding on. When he neared the time of his ‘husking’ he began to notice good things, blessings, coming his way! His life was restored. He even had more children, and his possessions were restored.

But if he had not allowed himself to be ‘husk-ed’ he might not have ever experienced true enlightenment in the end!

But wait….there’s more….

There’s another guy who was outspoken and bold. Some might have thought he had a cocky attitude. He often stated his opinion even when not asked for it. He’d question the motive of others and even attack those who went against what he felt was correct. He was told at one point he’d deny his relationship with a certain leader, but this guy vehemently denied even that.

And yet…..

As that particular day unfolded, he at first was defending his leader whom he loved. Later on, that evening after this leader was led away by the authorities of that day, this guy made sure to distance himself from the truth. When questioned by three different individuals, this guy outright lied and denied knowing this leader at all!

But…. relief is on the way!

Truth always prevails!

Justice is always served!

Forgiveness is always available!

**Now the above statements are what I believe to be ‘truths’ yet, we all have a free will as to whether or not we choose to believe them!**

**It’s not up to us to rationalize or analyze God’s ways for our life. It is our responsibility to hear and obey! Afterall, He is a loving Heavenly Father! We as parents expect our children to be respectful and do what we tell them (provided we are healthy parents). And our questions do not freak Him out one little bit! He welcomes our questioning just as a good earthly father would do for his children in order for them to grow in wisdom. We are to daily seek Him and chose to become more like Him.**

These days in which we live are fear-filled for so very many! I hear, read and see this fear on many around me and it grieves me greatly! Yet, in my humble opinion, these are the most exciting times in history! Those of us alive now, may very well see the return of Jesus Christ. However, we are not to sit down on our blessed assurance and quit! Oh, a thousand times NO! Why? Because we still have much work to do!

Jesus tells us in His word that the fields are ripe with harvest. I firmly believe we are on the precipice of a great awakening like this world has never seen! I pray for a shaking of the very foundation, of our core being, that we will each individually be awakened to His mighty truth and glory! We are not to shrink back in fear but rather, encourage each other to stand firm. And having done all to stand, stand! It’s in the Word!

**Truth moment:
There are those times I find the spirit of fear, panic, dread, anxiety and others threatening to overtake me. There are also those days when I’m gripped with it; however, I am choosing on purpose to believe more and more in the saving knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ who lives in me! I must daily tell myself that nope, I chose on purpose to believe on Him! Fear is not of God for perfect love (God Himself) casts out fear! It’s in the Word!**

I also believe when one of us is down then it’s the other’s responsibility to come along side and pick that fallen brother or sister up! Jesus never sent out any lone rangers! He always sent folks out 2 x 2! Now more than ever, we need to stay connected with our brothers and sisters! Pray one for another! Help each other! Love and support each other however the Holy Spirit leads! It’s in the Word!

Both of these guys I’ve shared about were ‘God husk-ed’!

Job

The first guy I mentioned was Job. There’s a whole book about him in the Bible.

Job 1:6-12

⁶ Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan also came among them. 

⁷ And the Lord said to Satan, “From where do you come?” So Satan answered the Lord and said, “From going to and fro on the earth, and from walking back and forth on it.”

⁸ Then the Lord said to Satan, “Have you considered My servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, one who fears God and shuns evil?”

⁹ So Satan answered the Lord and said, “Does Job fear God for nothing? 

¹⁰ Have You not made a hedge around him, around his household, and around all that he has on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land. 

¹¹ But now, stretch out Your hand and touch all that he has, and he will surely curseYou to Your face!”

¹² And the Lord said to Satan, “Behold, all that he has is in your power; only do not lay a hand on his person.” So Satan went out from the presence of the Lord.

I encourage you to read the end of Job. It’s wonderfully uplifting. Shoot, read the end of the Bible and you’ll discover those who believe on Jesus, why, we win!!

Peter

The other guy I spoke of is Peter. He was one of Jesus closest followers.

One thing that greatly wrecked me about this passage is where it reads, “Peter, I have prayed for you!”

Imagine that my friend! Insert your name in the blank. “____________, I have prayed for you!” Said Jesus!! Wow….

Luke 22:31-32

³¹ “Peter, my dear friend, listen to what I’m about to tell you. Satan has demanded to come and sift you like wheat and test your faith. 

³² But I have prayed for you, Peter, that you would stay faithful to me no matter what comes. Remember this: after you have turned back to me and have been restored, make it your life mission to strengthen the faith of your brothers.”

To sum this all up…..for me, one early morning I learned what it means when one is ‘God husk-ed’!

I can’t help but wonder how many of us are being ‘God husk-ed’ during this season of a strange pandemic?

Have you had an experience where you’d finally had to just throw up your hands and say, “God, it’s Yours! I just can’t do this anymore!”

Without allowing Poppa God to remove the husk from off your heart you will never step into the fullness He has just for you. Don’t be afraid! If you don’t have anyone else to agree with you, I’m here! I’d love to join you on your personal journey! Together with God, all things are possible!

I am choosing to allow God access to remove those hard things, those hard areas, from my heart so it’s soft and pliable for His love to flow forth. I am choosing to look back on my life with joy instead of sorrow for all the abuse and pain I’ve experienced. I’m choosing on viewing my past through the side mirror, which is way smaller than the windshield in front of me. I am choosing on purpose to be thankful to God for protecting me through all these years of suffering and now rejoice for He has been with me every single day! I have hope in Him and Him alone!

I pray you relent, submit, let go, and allow God to remove that husk from around your heart you’ve been holding onto for protection that only He can provide! You are not alone!

I’d love to hear your thoughts. Also have you been ‘God husk-ed’? I’d love to hear about it! Shoot me an email: pamelajwoodall@yahoo.com