“Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.” (1 Corinthians 13:7 NLT)
Have you ever wanted to quit, give up, throw in the towel? I sure have and I suspect you have also. Life is tiring, struggle is hard, people are difficult, and circumstances can wear us down. Too many times to remember, especially when I’m feeling sorry for myself, I muse: “Lord, why don’t You just take me home?” And He smiles and says: “Because the work to which I’ve called you isn’t finished!” “Then Lord, please give me patience!”
Then He’ll sometimes ask: “How many times have I quit on you? How many times have I left you?” And I begin to recall times I thought He did, but He assures me He hasn’t and never will. Bob Goff has an interesting way to say things, illustrated by his quote: “Love difficult people. You’re one of them.”
Have you ever thought about how difficult we are with the Lord? How short-sighted, short-tempered, short on faith, trust, hope, and the other fruit of the Spirit? Sometimes, when we’re honest, it’s hard to tell us from the people who don’t even know Him. And that’s sad!
Yes, of course, we get tired, irritable, out of sorts, but the issue isn’t necessarily how we feel, but how little it takes to get us to feel that way. It’s like the devil has us on a yo-yo – up and down, up and down! Again, Bob Goff speaks to us when he writes: “Love perseveres. No map will take us where God wants to lead us.” Have you ever followed directions that led you to the wrong location? You followed every turn exactly as directed, but when you got there it wasn’t the right place? I have, and it’s frustrating, but it can sometimes be frustrating even getting to the right place.
Years ago, a friend asked me to Officiate his wedding, but this was long before GPS and I couldn’t find even a map of the area. My frustration was compounded by a driving snowstorm that prevented me from even seeing signs when one was available, and it was dark. Finally, he told me to come to his house, and I could follow him to the church. Sounds simple enough, right? Wrong! The roads were so slick and the snow so heavy it was difficult to even keep sight of his taillights. But I persevered and finally found the church.
That’s how it seems when we’re trying to follow the Lord sometimes. The way gets hard, our vision is blurred or blocked, and it just seems the Lord is a million miles away. “Where are You, Lord?” is the cry of our heart! But it’s in those difficult times I’m given reassurance by the words of my Lord when He said in Hebrews 13:5 (quoting from Deuteronomy 31:6,8) “I will never fail you. I will never abandon you.”
May I remind you faith isn’t blind? Following Jesus is never about not knowing Who we’re following or trusting that He’s leading us somewhere we want to go. There are many times on my life’s journey I haven’t liked the journey, but I’ve loved it when I arrived at my destination. I’m on one of those journeys now. It’s hard being weak physically much of the time, slow mentally when I want and need to be sharp; forgetful of key Scriptures I memorized but can’t remember where to find them.
I was never the sharpest pencil in the box, but there are some things I do know. I know Jesus loves me, that He’s with me, that He will never leave or forsake me, and that I can trust Him to get me to my final home with Him in heaven. All the rest is fluff. And because of those things, my love for Him will persevere. I won’t quit because it gets hard and, I pray, I won’t complain when things get so difficult I can no longer do them for myself. Life is hard, but God is good and He’s all the reason I need to keep going!
Food for thought.
Blessings, Ed 😊
Walking With Jesus 