Olive oil...

As much as I love Olive Oil, I'd never heard how the olives are processed to make such a wonderful oil.. the awesome thing about it is, it draws a very close parallel to circumstances in our lives.. the ones that stretch us and refine us into the person God has designed us to be... this description came from a wonderful missionary woman who is a recent friend of ours... she sent this as an encouragement for our family..

"As I was working and thinking and praying I was coming around to you guys and your recent prayer request. I thought your area might be good for a field trip. Maybe you already know how olive oil is made. It has varying qualities. In the Tabernacle it was used to light the special lamps. It is also a symbol of the Holy Spirit Himself and of His work in our lives. The most pure (virgin) olive oil was used in the lamps for God. Perhaps you know that to get any olive to produce oil it has to be bruised. Then it has to be crushed and squeezed hard. It has to be refined. If its "virgin oil" that means its refined several times from special olives. I couldnt help but run a parallel in my mind to your situation. That sure sounds like the "virgin olive oil" to me! It is such a privelege to be used by Jesus and to burn brightly for Him, to have the Presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives and to know we are "on fire" for Jesus.. Not lukewarm nor tepid but really on fire.. This is true worship and is a fragrant offering to Jesus no matter what we are doing,. even cleaning the cobwebs and mold out of closets and shoes! Just a word of encouragement: The process does end and the oil is used in the lamps. One doesnt just keep on squeezing and squeezing nor being squeezed and refined. Its only one brief step in the necessary process of being used for Jesus. Dear Jesus, we ask for more oil Lord, and help us to burn brightly for you no matter what we are doing and no matter where we are. Amen."

I like the part that say's the sqeezing will stop! God bless.. hope this blesses you like it blessed me!