One of the beautiful things about the body of believers who are the Church is that God has made each of us unique.  That uniqueness extends also to how our affections for God are stirred the most.  For some it is through serving the needy, for others it is reading theology books/the Bible, for others it is singing/music/art, and others just marveling at God through His creation.  What each of us has in common however, is we will be tempted daily to replace our affections for God with affections for His creation, what the world can offer us.

Each of us that have once tasted the goodness of God through the gospel of Jesus, have a thirst for God.  While I pray that God would kindle that thirst in all of our hearts, I am appealing today to your minds.  My hope is that God may use words and your thoughts as a means towards rekindling in you a passion for Him.

What was the best day of your life?  How long did that last?  What is/was the worst period of your life?  How long did that last?  For many of us, the hard times of life far outnumber the fleeting moments/days where we are joyful.  Why is that?  Is it merely that we are all cynical?  The Bible tells us quite the opposite.  It tells us that this is by design.  Our present hardships are meant to point us to a future hope.

Romans 8:18-25 – “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.”

James 1:2-4 – “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” 

Christian, my question is this:  “If you first turned from the pursuit of joy apart from God, to embrace Jesus through hearing the Gospel message, are you now seeking joy again from the world?”  You know that the immediate joy the world can offer only leads to pain, struggles, and loss.   Think.  Faith is not blind.  God has given you eyes to see the truth.  You know that God is good, and knowing Him is refreshment to you, and lasting joy.  But for the same reasons gym memberships spike in January, only to fall off in February after the new years resolutions have been forgotten, we too need to be reminded of the gospel, to remain steadfast in our faith among struggles.  We sinners have been reconciled to God through the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus.  We were not freed from sin only to fall back into its grip, but to know the infinite joy of God.

My encouragement is this:  The steadfast love of God is neverending.  Tomorrow is gone, and today has come.  Faith is not a starting point, it isn’t a race, it is a lifelong marathon.  The men and women of God you will be 10 years from now is being built out from the day to day choices you make now.  Think.  You know there is a thirst for God within you that the world can never offer.  Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart.

James 4:7-8 – “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.”

Lamentations 3:22-24 – “The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. “The LORD is my portion,” says my soul, “therefore I will hope in him.”

 Grace and Peace,

Adam