The life of Christ Himself was marked with difficulty. At His birth, Herod tried to hunt Him down to murder Him. Throughout His ministry, the religious leaders showed Him anger. As His mission neared conclusion, His own disiciples deserted Him -- one denied Him and one betrayed Him. Gethsemane gave Him agony; the Sanhedrin slapped Him around; Pilate had Him whipped; and Calvary’s soldiers saw That He was crucified. Indeed, it was a difficult path.
So, the Christian way is marked by a difficult path. In fact, the road of righteousness seems to have a genius for finding hard times, nevertheless, the holy way seems to also possess a genius for handling hard times, even overcoming difficulty.
On her deathbed, my Granny Margery had a marvelous chant: "If I suffer (with Jesus), I shall also reign with Him." 2 Timothy 2:12a (Jubilee Bible)
She knew, like all believers who endure to the end, that our difficulties as Jesus-believers soon pass but our delight in His Kingly Presence is for forever.
Be encouraged, Jesus-believers...
This is not our home, we’re just passing through. This is not our home, ours is brand new. The end of our difficulty is in sight, and is leading us to never-ending delight.
Meanwhile, life here can be hard, but our God is always good and He is with us now and until the end gives way to eternity.
* This post inspired in part by "Streams in the Desert" Vol. 2, Cowman
If you need more encouragement about how the difficult path of Christ gives way to everlasting delight, read Romans 6:5.
Presence Matters Most!
That is... Presence. Unity. Souls. Love.
Pastor Kerry Willis
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