Life sure can stink, sometimes! Here you are just rolling along, the sun’s shining, the wind is blowing, the birds are singing then BAM! Something happens that changes in your life and that can throw you into a tailspin. Unfortunately, that can and does happen a lot during our lifetimes. I am not here to get you down or have anyone thinking negatively; instead, I want to share that there is a reason to hope in better things to come.
To do that, let’s look at Hebrews 11:1-3 (New American Bible Version): “Faith is the realization of what is hoped for and evidence of things not seen. Because of it the ancients were well attested. By faith we understand that the universe was ordered by the word of God, so that what is visible came into being through the invisible.” Whichever version that you read, it all amounts to the same thing. These verses help us to know and believe that we can rely on God to hold true to His words and His promises for our lives. It’s our reason to hope in a brighter future even though we can’t see where that path is taking us, right now. (Related post: Knowing and Believing)
I like to think of it as a new chapter in our book of life. (Related post: A New Chapter in the Book of Life) You turn the page and it’s empty. Your journey isn’t finished because, it’s still going on. Sometimes, I feel as though I’m just along for the ride and knowing that I will eventually see some beautiful things, but I have to wait for what is as yet unwritten in my book. I also know that the waiting is the hardest part of having trust in the unseen. However, we should know in our hearts that we have a God who does what He says He will do. We are the impatient ones. We question and yell and beg God to show us, but sometimes we have to wait because the gift that He gives us is bigger than we’ve ever imagined. So by waiting, it can produce within us patience and endurance and a much firmer knowledge in Him.
What did I learn from this? I like to think that I am growing my “fruits of the Spirit” (from Galatians 5: 22-23) in my search to seek Him in all things. I’m here not for earthly things but for Godly things. I have many, many reasons to hope in a brighter future and not just for me but for all of us, together. Is change hard? Yes! I don’t always want to change to a new chapter in my book, but God asks me to trust Him, so I will. (Related posts: The Seasons of Change and A Blessed Path)
So, what can you gain from this? I get it! Change is hard! However, as you develop your own “fruits of the Spirit”, you will begin to see the change within yourself. You were meant to stand out, not to blend in with everyone else. We each have a choice to make in this world, so we need to ask ourselves some questions: 1) How much do I love God? 2) How much do I trust Him to write my next chapter in my book of life? 3) Am I willing to hand control over for something that I can’t see yet?
If the answers to any and all of those are yes, I love you God, yes, I do trust you, God and yes, I am willing to give your control, then I say that you are ready for the next step. Will it be hard? Yes, but know that you are not alone in your journey. You have a God who sees you and knows right where He wants you to be and that, my friend, is the biggest reason to hope.
A Joyful Mission 