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「祂使我成為磨亮的箭。」（聖經以賽亞書四十九章 2 節）
在美國加利福尼亞州派司開特羅地方，有一個著名的「卵石灘」。灘上的石子時時受著海濱大浪的沖擊，有時被殘酷大浪捲去拋擲，有時被拋在尖銳的峭壁上受到磨擦。它們日夜受著這樣的磨練，得到怎樣的結果呢？
全世界的遊客蜂擁著到那裡去採集圓滑美麗的石子，採集了回去，將它們謹謹慎慎地安置在陳列室中，裝飾在客廳的壁板上。
但是你如果到衝破海浪的峭壁尖頂去看，或者到風雨侵蝕不到的凹處去找，你能夠看見大量從來沒有人去搜尋的卵石。
為什麼這些卵石總沒有人來採集呢？唯一的原因就是因為它們沒有經過海浪的衝擊擦磨，它們平靜的生活使它們變得又粗糙、又醜陋。啊，原來光澤是由苦難磨出來的！
神知道我們配做那種器皿，祂就將我們磨成那種器皿。祂知道我們要去擔任的是那種工作，祂就照我們所需要的磨練我們，給我們相當的準備，我們只要完全信靠祂就是了。── 選
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"He hath made me a polished shaft." (Isa. 49:2.)
THERE is a very famous "Pebble Beach" at Pescadero, on the California coast. The long line of white surf comes up with its everlasting roar, and rattles and thunders among the stones on the shore. they are caught in the arms of the pitiless waves, and tossed and rolled, and rubbed together, and ground against the sharp-grained cliffs. Day and night forever the ceaseless attrition goes on─ never any rest. And the result?
Tourists from all the world flock thither to gather the round and beautiful stones. They are laid up in cabinets; they ornament the parlor mantels. But go yonder, around the point of the cliff that breaks off the force of the sea; and up in that quiet cove, sheltered from the storms, and lying ever in the sun, you shall find abundance of pebbles that have never been chosen by the traveler.
Why are these left all the years through unsought? For the simple reason that they have escaped all the turmoil and attrition of the waves, and the quiet and peace have left them as they found them, rough and angular and devoid of beauty. Polish comes through trouble.
Since God knows what niche we are to fill, let us trust Him to shape us to it. Since He knows what work we are to do, let us trust Him to drill us to the proper preparation. --- Selected.
"O blows that smite! O hurts that pierce
This shrinking heart of mine!
What are ye but the master's tools
Forming a work divine?"
"Nearly all God's jewels are crystallized tears."
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