You know, this verse tells us to enjoy the journey we are on -- to enjoy the trials because those trials will bring us closer to Christ who is what this world is about. If we can take joy in all things, we can learn from all things. If we are fully alive we can experience the depths and heights of it all and wow, we will see God.
Think back on your life. Think of the lessons you've learned from your own history. God was there. His lessons, His words are what I remember most.
If you can't say this ask God to redeem your memories. He can even use your past for great good right now, even if that memory is decades old.
I can't say I always enjoy the journey. I get weary of enduring. I know God could just "fix" it in a nanosecond, but He loves me too much to do that. If He did I'd lose the lesson and the ability to grow through that situation.
I don't always want to grow though. Often, I just wish for something to be done....
We are in transition at our church. We've had people leave. We had our pastor leave. And all the members are, get this, HUMAN. Being human means we are full of faults and stubbornness. And sometimes (well usually) it is a whole lot easier to quit than to endure with your fellow humans.
But we've prayed and I tell you, last night I saw something that hadn't happened for three years. And it was amazing! No one else probably noticed it for what it was, but I did. I take that back -- my husband did. It was beautiful. And it was so much sweeter because it was obviously because of the Holy Spirit. It sure wasn't because of the humans involved. As I said we can be stubborn and bull-headed and pretty ugly.
Oh boy, I'm not too focused today. I hope you got something out of this. If you are still reading this blog maybe comment or send me an email. I won't abuse the privilege of your contact. Promise. My readership has gone down dramatically and I'm not sure why. But that is okay. If you are here (and you must be since you are reading) it is enough.
Use your skills and talents for God no matter the outcome. We won't see most of what God has accomplished through us until we get to heaven. So keep enduring. Keep loving. Keep enjoying the journey.