"Therefore we
also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay
aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run
with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author
and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the
cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of
God." (Hebrews 12:1-2 NKJ)
Forget
the labels. I am an individual. You are an individual. We have our
idiosyncrasies. We are unique, yet with a few commonalities. Courage and
tenacity do not come from a label. Joy and peace do not come in a prescription
or a self-help book. Attitude comes from our choices. The present diagnosis
doesn't determine the future prognosis.
Victory is not determined by a few setbacks or what looks
like defeat. Victory comes by our refusal to surrender. Speaking of
persecutions, troubles and hardships Jesus said, "he who endures to
the end shall be saved" (Matthew 10:22; 24:13;
Mark 13:13).
It is
easy to shout for joy when the good times roll. Yet, the real value of joy and
peace are experienced when the wolf is nipping at your heels and threatening to
tear you apart. Joy comes in the morning that we discover this truth: When
times are tough, it is not the tough who gains the victory, but the faithful
who endure.
There is
joy in the fact that every morning we get up, despite aches and pains, despite
troubles and sorrows. No matter the situations we are facing, we pack our lunch
and go to the front line refusing to give in or give up. We steer our lives
through the traffic of heartache and affliction, through the streets of tragedy
and confusion, and through the avenues of the ordinary, aggravating stresses
and struggles.
No
matter the pressure, we are not crushed because the life of Christ is working
in us. No matter the confusing issue, we do not lose hope because the life of
Christ is working in us. No matter the persecution, we are not forsaken because
Christ walks with us and comforts us. No matter what knocks us down, we are not
destroyed because Christ is our victory! And the joy of the Lord is our
strength!
We are
always on the edge between life and death, not so we can brag about it or boast
"ain't nothing gonna keep me down." We live on the edge between life
and death so that the life of our Lord can be seen and glorified in us.
What is
our response to the issues of life? First, like Christ, I look beyond the
sufferings "to the joy that is set before" me. Second, I remind the
enemy: "If God is for us (me), who can be against us (me)?" And oh,
what joy to know -- just to know -- that he is always present!
Dear
Father, thank you for the joy that only you give. Enable me to always glorify
your holy name in my life. I pray this in the name of Jesus. AMEN
No comments:
Post a Comment