This is the eleventh day of Lovemas, the next to the last day of the twelve. It has consequently fallen on the Eve of the New Year. Looking back, I personally have an abundance to be thankful for. I live a very blessed and set apart life. But as with any person on this planet, I also have my fair share of experiences that I would not choose to relive. But I can look back from the other side and say with confidence that I indeed was not swallowed up by the various troubles 2014 brought me. That survival could not have existed, though, without a few key things in my life: my family, my husband, GOD, and his love that fills me with strength.
We are to the tail end of verse seven, “love hopes all things, and endures all things”. You see, the thing about love is that it’s empowering. When we are energized by God’s perfecting love, we can survive. Because we are rooted in God, we have the ability to face largely hopeless situations with real, tangible hope. Those around us will witness our daily battles, yes. They will see us struggle to stay in line with God, to keep our households afloat, and anything else that comes across our paths. But they will also be able to see our tenacity to keep on hoping. And the hope that comes from God alone produces endurance.
Circumstances that would have driven the best man to drinking do not have to overcome those of us that cling to Christ, because his love strengthens us to the point of surpassing all worldly explanation. Women and men who do not know Christ will look on with awe as we face the worst situations a person can go through with divine hope and inexplicable endurance. The forced question will be, “how?!” And the answer of answers will be, “Because he loves me, and he died for me”.
So when facing the new year of 2015, yes, I will be making my fair share of yearly goals. And regardless of my past failures, I can continue to do this. I am filled with a supernatural hope, and my zeal to live for God will not be dampened by how badly I have messed up before (and I have woefully failed many times). But in addition to striving to achieve various goals that would shoot me closer to the person God designed me to be, I will not be asking for God to make 2015 a paradise free of hardships.
To have a year free of any struggles would be ideal. So I am not saying that I will be requesting an extra dose of trouble. But Romans 5:3 says that because of our sufferings, we rejoice. For the suffering produces endurance. So there is a refinement that happens when we exercise our spiritual muscles in the face of being in a tough position. This type of fine-tuning polishes us like gold, and we shine in a way that cannot be ignored.
During our 80-100 year span on Earth, because of the broken nature of this world, things that we don’t want to happen will. God’s plans for us are good. He does not strike us with sickness or hardships in order for himself to be glorified. But when we encounter adversity, we will be able to make it through by leaning into God for strength. As we dive deeper into relationship with our Father-Creator, we will discover even more hope and be able to endure all. What the adversaries meant for bad, God will redeem to bring glory. And just as they thought they had won after killing the Christmas baby, so shall we too shall rise from situations of despair. The love that was coursing through Jesus as he said yes to leaving his throne is the same love that can manifest in us when we submit to God. And it is a powerful love that hopes and endures all.
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