One day, while having a cup of tea under her Mulberry tree, Empress Hsi Ling Shi, had a silkworm cocoon unexpectantly fall into her cup and begin to unravel. The Empress noticed these shimmering silken threads floating in her cup and, upon holding one end of the thread, began to walk around her garden, unravelling the threads from the cocoon as she walked. She called her dressmaker and asked if it was possible to weave a garment from these unusual threads for her husband, the Emperor. As a result of this unexpected turn of events the Empress developed sericulture, the cultivation of silkworms and the invention of the reel, loom and the silk industry.
Rather than demanding another cup of tea, the Empress saw an opportunity to create something beautiful and profitable for not just her personally but the entire kingdom. Her reaction and attitude to what was an unsavoury and messy event, of having a worm drop into her cup of tea, are actually how I think God wants us to be about life in general.
Life happens all around us, and some of those happenings can look like disasters or negatives at first glance. But God wants us to take Him at His Word and His promise that, “He works all things together for our good,” (Romans 8:28) and for us to get in the habit of looking for the “silver or silk lining” when things don’t go according to plan or people, and events take an unsavoury turn.
To ask, “what can I learn from this, how can I grow, what is God trying to say, and is there an opportunity here that perhaps I’m not seeing?”
Sometimes you may not recognize God’s hand working immediately, but from experience and according to everything in His Word, He always is. He has the final say…what He’s begun in you He will complete. “He can do anything and everything. Nothing and no one can upset His plans.” (Job 42:2 The Message)
“For I am God, and there is no one else; I am God, and there is no one like Me, declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things which have not yet been done, Saying, “My purpose will be established, and I will do all that pleases Me and fulfils My purpose…(Isaiah 46:89-10 Amplified )
Today be encouraged that God sees you. He is ultimately in control and always has love and blessing on His heart and mind for you. Next time you face a challenge, something you didn’t expect or a negative circumstance, take a moment to reflect on Empress Hsi Ling Shi’s discovery from a situation that wasn’t planned or expected. Choose to look for God’s hand at work in your every circumstance.
Be open to those unexpected opportunities. You may very well discover, just like the Empress, your own “silken threads”, leading you to far more blessing and opportunity than you could ever have imagined possible. (Ephesians 3:20)
“Never doubt Gods mighty power to work in you and accomplish all this. He will achieve infinitely more than your greatest request, your most unbelievable dream, and exceed your wildest imagination! He will outdo them all, for His miraculous power constantly energizes you.” (Ephesians 3:20 TPT)
Prayer: Lord, please help me see things with the perspective that you always have the final say and work everything out for my good. I expect great things to appear in my life and opportunities to open up for me today. In Jesus name Amen.
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