OCTOBER 13, 2024

 “Only this is faith: to continue.” 

― Marty Rubin

ISAIAH 50-52

 Who are you that you fear mere mortals,

human beings who are but grass,

13that you forget the Lord your Maker,

who stretches out the heavens

and who lays the foundations of the earth,

that you live in constant terror every day

because of the wrath of the oppressor,

who is bent on destruction? (51:12-13)

1 THESSALONIANS 1

2We always thank God for all of you and continually mention you in our prayers. 3We remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.

JOURNAL 

Recently I was talking with a friend and he was discussing his golf game...he said that he usually isn't much fun to play with because he's only broken seventy a couple times but every time he plays he expects to shoot 67. While funny...isn't this also the problem most often in our lives? We expect perfection when perfection isn't possible. We expect or hope for  a "perfect life" when a perfect life by "our standards" has never existed.  For me this is what constantly gets me in trouble. I seem to always fail to forget that the only perfect life was still marred by poverty, perceived failure, scorn, ridicule, rejection, betrayal and undeserved death. 

So what is the point in trying, what is the point in pushing ourselves to be better and working to improve? If Jesus himself couldn't avoid all of the heartache's of life, then what hope do I have? I think this is where the goals of life become the ultimate problem. What is it that I am trying to achieve? Going back to the golf conversation...is the point of playing to shoot 67...then for me, or my friend, it's pointless to play. However if the goal is to get better, enjoy being outside, enjoy the fellowship then it's worth it. Because those goals can be achieved. 

If the goal of my life is to avoid pain, always win, and get everything I want...then I don't need to bother waking up tomorrow...it's not gonna happen. However if my goal is to walk with God, love others, get up when I fail, get better (no matter how small the improvement) and be grateful for the gift of another day...then those are attainable goals. 

This verse in Thessalonians really captures the point and the source of the energy and endurance to live this life.  For it is faith that is the motivation to work, love that is the energy to labor and hope in Christ that is the endurance to keep going.  I needed this today. I look outside and its so beautiful and I am reminded again that it really is an amazing wonderful world that I live in and another opportunity to walk with God in living out this day. 

13May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

ROMANS 15:13