"Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us". Hebrews 12:1
Life has been excruciating. It has felt heavy, and burdensome and at times, hopeless; just like a race you feel will never end. Yes, I know you may be thinking "Melissa, if you trust in the Lord you shouldn't feel this way; you should have enough faith to pull through!" Maybe you aren't thinking that, maybe you are. I have thought this about myself many times. But the thing is, I have much faith. And I have at least as much faith as the size of a mustard seed! I've seen God move mountains. I have heard His voice- I have stepped out to do things that I know I couldn't possibly have done on my own. God has met me every.time. So yes, I have much faith. So, back to the "life has been excruciating, heavy, burdensome and hopeless" part... Through this time in my life, my faith has been extremely challenged. I have wrestled with God to the point to exhaustion. I have spent hours crying and calling out. I have reminded God of all the promises He has made to me, and questioned His "perfect" timing. I've been silent towards God, and I have questioned His goodness.
After months of this I have still come to the same conclusion as before: God is good. He is the Author of our lives. He has crafted and created us for His purposes and glory, and He will do what He wills. Who are we to tell Him how to form and shape our lives? For He is the potter and we are the clay. We are fragile and weak and it is only through His strength in us that we are able to live and breathe and be what He has called us to be. Every aspect of our lives- good or bad is meant to give Him glory. When we live our lives in the light of this truth, our perspective changes and we realize that this life is not about us or our comfort, or even about our happiness; this life is only and all about Him!
Our lives are but a vapor and God never promised us rose garden. Our time here is short, and we need to make the most of the time God has given. The hard things in life are meant to only propel us closer to God; not further away. He has promised that He will use all things for our good and for His glory and He cannot lie! As deep calls to deep; as the storms rise up and threaten to overtake us, so our faith calls us to go deeper into communion and intimacy with God, for this is the purpose of our suffering.
Soon, our race will end. It will be only but a distant memory. Let's run it well, together. There is so much to look forward to! In the meantime, God will work it all out. Have faith and know that He is for you and not against you! Let's hang in there together, for just a little longer, for it won't be long before He calls us all home.
"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith". 2 Timothy 4:7
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