But recall the former days when, after you were enlightened, you endured a hard struggle with sufferings, sometimes being publicly exposed to reproach and affliction, and sometimes being partners with those so treated. For you had compassion on those in prison, and you joyfully accepted the plundering of your property, since you knew that you yourselves had a better possession and an abiding one. Therefore do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what is promised. For, “Yet a little while, and the coming one will come and will not delay; but my righteous one shall live by faith, and if he shrinks back, my soul has no pleasure in him.” But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who have faith and preserve their souls. (Hebrews 10:32-39 ESV)
We are at the end of the church year and so we are talking about the end times, when everything falls apart and all hell breaks loose…
Is that only the end of times though? It seems like we all know someone whose life is falling apart. Maybe it is a brother or a sister, or another family member, maybe it is a friend, or maybe it is yourself…
All hell could be breaking out in your life and it seems like no one cares and that no one is there for you and God is as far from you as possible.
You see Hebrews reminds us that just because we are walking with God does not mean that it is all roses and cake, and sunshine and moon beams. Life is hard, and when we actually walk with God it gets harder, and we will be ridiculed for our thoughts and our actions. But that is the beauty of the moments of life that should make us throw up our hands and give up, God is there whispering in your ear, “We can do this!”
The world is yelling “You can’t do this!” and you know what they are right. You can’t and I can’t. On our own we are not going to make it. I have been looking for a call for 9 months plus and burning through our savings at a rate that will not last much longer. I have taken a job some would say is beneath my level, but is something I enjoy and allows me to be a father to my children and be there when they need me. It would be real easy for me to curl up in a fetal position and cry why have I been forsaken. But I will not do it. The world wants me to give up and give in and find something permanent and give up ministry. Those who worked against the ministry I am doing would love to see this happen, and the powers of evil in the world would love for me to give up, but it will not happen. Because as the picture says. “Anyone can give up.” But those of us who have the strength of God walking beside us to protect and shelter and empower us have true strength and endurance.
So do not shrink back and be destroyed but step out in faith and know that God will hold you up through whatever life may send your way.
aSacredRebel 