Verse: 2 Corinthians 6:3-13
3 We put no stumbling block in anyone’s path, so that our ministry will not be discredited. 4 Rather, as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: in great endurance; in troubles, hardships and distresses; 5 in beatings, imprisonments and riots; in hard work, sleepless nights and hunger; 6 in purity, understanding, patience and kindness; in the Holy Spirit and in sincere love; 7 in truthful speech and in the power of God; with weapons of righteousness in the right hand and in the left; 8 through glory and dishonor, bad report and good report; genuine, yet regarded as impostors; 9 known, yet regarded as unknown; dying, and yet we live on; beaten, and yet not killed; 10 sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; poor, yet making many rich; having nothing, and yet possessing everything.
Thoughts
If this doesn't describe following Jesus I don't know what does! We are always both dealing with the brokenness of this world (starting in us!) and the blessing of God. We see the pain and the healing, the ugliness of sin, and the beauty of forgiveness, our rebellion and his grace.
Theologians say that we live in the "time between the times." What they mean is that when Jesus came he brought his Kingdom to earth and taught us to pray for his Kingdom to come on earth as it is in heaven. So as Christians we experience the power and blessing of the "age to come"—heaven on earth. We see this every time God breaks in through prayer, or through ministry, or through serving others. But we also still live in the age of sin. That age isn't over. And so we still experience hardship, pain, sickness, and sorrow. That age will come to an end when Jesus returns, but for now we are living in the time between the times.
And that is both beautiful and heartbreaking. This is why I love this verse by Paul. It is so honest. He acknowledges the hardship, but he hasn't let hardship destroy his faith. Instead it has grown in faith. He sees the power of God breaking in still. He sees the beauty of God, and the mercy of God, and the salvation of God. He sees, and hopes for, the Kingdom to continue to break into his life, even as he suffers the effects of living in a broken world.
I wonder how this could encourage you this morning? First, God sees your pain. He really does. You are not alone in your frustration with the way the world is. And second, God is near to you with his love, comfort, healing, and grace. Don't let the problems of this world make you doubt the goodness of God. Don't let the hardships keep you from the blessings. He is walking with you and wants to reveal himself to you more and more each day.
Prayer
I pray that you would keep me from discouragement, and fill me with hope that comes from you Spirit.