You might have expected something scary on Halloween, however I’m veering off in a non-creepy direction, that is if you don’t mind.
In your life you may have expected, or at least hoped for a bed of roses with all the thorns conveniently removed for you. If you’re like me, your hopes have been long since dashed. Pause. If I may digress a bit, thorns are the roses best defense mechanism. Dandelions in the other hand appear to have gotten the short end of the stick as they have no apparent defense mechanism. “Evolution” it seems, devalues their existence as they have no defense. A tad unfair, don’t you agree? I can assure you, Jesus Christ had a plan when He created them. And for us! Un-pause. Let’s get into some trouble ourselves, shall we?
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33
Interestingly this was spoken directly before the disciples complained Jesus was using figures of speech thus making it difficult for them to understand Him. Aw. Therefore Jesus “got the hay down from the loft so the cows could get at it”. A crude metaphor but applicable nonetheless.
We can all agree that tribulations and trials are no fun. Ever since Genesis chapter 3, when sin entered the world, creation has groaned as it (and we) long to be set free from the consequences of sin while we await the redemption of our bodies, clothed instead with immortality through Jesus Christ.
So we wait. Some ask why there are unbelievers who live in comfort while other believers live in persecution? Hardy fair, correct? Well that’s what our flesh says anyway. God’s economy is entirely different. His ways are not our ways and He has a purpose despite our sin ravaged bodies. If you’re looking for something to blame, sin should be the target of said blame. We are in the world but no longer of the world if we have accepted Christ as Savior. Sin reigns, but only for a season. Christ sets us free from the consequences of sin.
I don’t welcome trouble and certainly avoid it when possible, but I’m not afraid of it. Don’t be afraid of those who want to kill your body; they cannot touch your soul. Fear only God, who can destroy both soul and body in hell. That’s the only true hope I can give you. In fact, we are confident, and we would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord. So we make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it. 2 Corinthians 5:8,9
Only the Christian has this hope. But to me it’s far from a “get out of jail free” card. I want to know the One who created me and then saved me. I long to talk to Him about how He created all things, if He’ll tell me. Even so, they’ll be an eternity of things to talk about and experience, things we can’t possibly even comprehend in our present “bag of bones”.
Meanwhile we press on to finish the race. I used to run cross country. Training is hard and perseverance is even harder. Competition is fun and rewarding if you’ve trained your body and mind. Your mind has a powerful influence over your body. You must be committed if you are going to finish well. Near the end of your race you may even experience what is called “runners high” which may give you that final push to cross the finish line.
I can say with certainty the the Holy Spirit makes up the infinite divide between my inability to do what’s right and His grace to make it happen. Even so, I still manage to mess it up somehow. I thank God for His grace in times of trouble for I know it will be short lived.
And I know He is there with me to the very end of the age.
Jim
The question "why", as expressed in your essay is an ancient one. Assigning blame, although it may be emotionally satisfying, is essentially an unprofitable exercise. Study Ezekiel 34. Think of the scattered flock who know little of the real cause of their troubles. They certainly shouldn't blame themselves! So it is with our lives. Things haven't changed much! I have learned that deeds that I and others have judged to be personal "mistakes" or "messing things up", mainly turn out not to be such. Remember Romans 8:20 "...all things work together for good..." They really, really do!
Regardless of how things look to our 5 senses, we know what the wicked receive in the end. There will be justice!
Job 27:13–17
[13] “This is the portion of a wicked man with God, and the heritage that oppressors receive from the Almighty:
[14] If his children are multiplied, it is for the sword, and his descendants have not enough bread.
[15] Those who survive him the pestilence buries, and his widows do not weep.
[16] Though he heap up silver like dust, and pile up clothing like clay,
[17] he may pile it up, but the righteous will wear it, and the innocent will divide the silver. (ESV)