Hey guys!
So as I was reading through the scriptures assigned for today, I was reminded of the fact that life with Jesus is not easy. I feel like sometimes when we think about life with Jesus, it’s easy (for me at least) to forget all of the troubles and hardships that go along with that.
In the 2 Corinthians scripture for today, Paul writes “as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way; in great endurance; in troubles, hardships and distressed; in beatings, imprisonments and riots; in hard work; sleepless nights and hunger; in purity, understanding, patience and kindness; in the Holy Spirit and in sincere love. . . . genuine, yet regarded as impostors; known, yet regarded as unknown; dying, and yet we live on; beaten, and yet not killed; sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; poor, yet making many rich; having nothing, and yet possessing everything.”
I think Paul’s words do a great job describing many of the hardships of life with Jesus. But in the last few verses, he takes these things that outwardly seem worse, and reframes them to reveal the characteristics that remain. Through these hardships we can continue to be genuine, known, living, rejoicing, making many rich, and possessing everything. Even when times are hard, God is still there.
In the Joel passage, he says “‘Even now,’ declares the Lord, ‘return to me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning’. Rend your heart and now your garments. Return to the Lord your God, for he is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love, and he relents from sending calamity”.
Even when things are hard, God is so gracious and compassionate, and we should return to Him.
“Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones you have crushed rejoice.” Psalm 51:8
During this season, let us hear joy and gladness, and let our broken bones rejoice.