Turning lemons into lemonade!
There is nothing like a nice cold glass of lemonade on a summer day. In simple words, it is refreshing.
Yet, there is nothing quite so jarring as the sourness that comes from a lemon in its raw form. It’s not pleasant and is certainly better in lemonade form. Yet, they are one in the same. One of the most refreshing and enjoyed drinks comes from something that is so painfully sour at first.
The American writer Elbert Hubbard coined the phrase “When life gives you lemons, make lemonade” in 1915 in order to encourage optimism and a positive attitude in the face of adversity or misfortune. Interestingly, Hubbard first wrote this quote in an obituary discussing the life of his friend who found abundant joy in life, despite physical disabilities.
Hubbard writes: “His was a sound mind in an unsound body. He proved the eternal paradox of things. He cashed in on his disabilities. He picked up lemons that Fate had sent him and started a lemonade stand.” What an incredible honor that is to be seen as someone who made the absolute most of the present circumstance— so much so that they succeeded in spite of it!
James 1:2-3 says, “Count it all joy, my brothers and sisters, when you meet trials of various kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.”
There is nothing more paradoxical than being told to consider it a JOY to meet trials. That is completely outside of the norm. Yet, we are asked to do this because of the product that joy in every circumstance creates— steadfastness.
This sounds easier said than done. Of course it would be easier to sit in the pain, to sit in the sorrow, and to dwell in the past. Of course it would be much harder and frankly much more time consuming to make much of the trials you face.
Yet, the beauty of the gospel is that it is good news of transformation. It is good news of a life made new and of God’s own Spirit richly dwelling and communing with you.
In addition, we are called to count it all joy with the confidence that we can call of the one who has created us and plead— “Show me the wonders of your great love, you who save by your right hand those who take refuge in your from their foes” (Psalm 17:7). Again Psalm 34:18— “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” I know that making lemonade from the lemons seems like a daunting and an impossible task. Yet, “the Lord will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose water never fail” (Isaiah 58:11). In a sun-scorched land there is ABUNDANCE when you are drawing nourishment from Christ, when you are drawing perspective from Christ, and when you are drawing your unshakeable hope from Christ.
Life is so much more fun, fulfilling, and purposeful when you decide to live joyfully and in confidence that he who made you is with you and is for you. Trust the Lord, live in freedom, and make some lemonade!!!
