“A professor was preparing for class and decided to take an orange with him. He began to talk to a bright young man in front and asked him, “If I squeeze this orange, what will I get?” He looked at the professor and answered, “Juice, of course!” The professor said, “Don’t you think I could squeeze apple juice from the orange?” Laughing, he said “No.” “What about grapefruit juice?” He said, “Nope.” The professor asked again, “What would I get from this orange?” “Orange juice, of course.” He repeated his question, “Why? Why would I get orange juice from an orange?” The young man answered, “Well, it is an orange, and that is what it has on the inside.” The professor nodded and said, “That’s right! Let’s think that this is not an orange, but it is you. Someone puts pressure on you and says something you don’t like. You get offended. Fear, bitterness, hatred, and anger come out of you. Why did this happen?” The boy answered, “Because those things are on the inside.”
Now we have to consider what’s inside of you and me, because Matthew 15:18 says, “But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile a man.”
Jesus was squeezed and forgiveness, love, and mercy came out of Him. He taught us that regardless of people insulting, beating, humiliating, and treating Him worse than a criminal; He just showed love and forgiveness! Let’s be filled with that love that comes from God, and let’s live each day by His side.
Now the question that we must ask ourselves “What comes out when I am squeezed?” God bless you!!”
This story gave me a new insight into what Jesus did; He didn’t just sacrifice Himself for us, He also taught us a lesson even while He was suffering. He showed us how to respond even when unpleasant things happen to us. He was beaten, flogged and eventually hanged on the cross, but he was never angry or bitter. Regardless of the insults, beatings, humiliation and horrible treatment He received from people, He kept showing love and forgiveness. Can we do the same?
When Jesus was squeezed, forgiveness, love and mercy came out of him. When you are pushed to the wall and squeezed, what will come out of you? Is it fear, bitterness, resentment, anger or hatred? Matthew 15:18 says, “but what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and this defiles a person.” What do you have on the inside of you?
While meditating on this story, I decided to relate it to this journey I am on: after everything life has dealt me, what has come out of me? What will come out the next time I am squeezed? Will it be bitterness, anger, sorrow or depression because of what I have been through? Or will it be joy, laughter, empathy and love?
Life is not always a smooth journey; I like to think of it as a bed of roses filled with thorns, sometimes it’s beautiful, and other times the thorns prick you.
In view of that, I boldly urge you to think back on how you have reacted every time life dealt you a big blow. Now, go on to ask yourself the same question I am currently asking myself – “What do I have on the inside of me? When I am squeezed, what will come out from me?
stay hopeful …… find your purpose!
share your thoughts with us by leaving a comment!
email: kemi@livingfreetolive.org//livingfreetolive@gmail.com
facebook: Livingfreetolive//Kemi Olawaiye-Dampson
instagram: @Livingfreetolive
twitter: @Livingfree2live
Leave a Comment
A very insightful article, indeed one of the best l’ve read so far…reminds me of the saying”an apple does not fall far from the tree”
When you are born of the spirit, it’s easier for you to exhibit the fruits of love even when pressed than one who is not because Jesus is right there living in you through his spirit reminding you of what the bigger picture is: ETERNITY with him.!!!l believe that makes it All worth it!
Thank you @Louise.
We should try to not allow circumstances dictate our actions; rather we should continue to show love and empathy inspite of the happenings around us. I know it’s easier said than done, but with God it is “do-able”.