The Party's Over

Who are you praying for today that is weary? Are you the weary one? How can we pray for you?

“We always thank God for all of you and continually mention you in our prayers. We remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. For we know, brothers and sisters loved by God, that he has chosen you.”  I Thessalonians 1:2-4

Hope. It is a small word. In fact, it is a four-letter word. There have been times when giving difficult news to others I have jumped to wanted to say something positive. Often there isn’t something positive in a diagnosis of chronic disease, a decision that is unjust, a life too young that is gone. Yet in the bad news my brain steps away from the emotion and steadies the words with pragmatism. In the moment it is most appropriate to still see the hope of eternity and the pain of everyday life now. Both are truth and often both are appropriate. We live in an imperfect world that is often a difficult journey.  The trouble, trials, tribulation, cause us to reflect deeply on faith and live out our promised hope of eternity (I John 2:25).

We are not promised that life will be fair, we are told that we will face troubles and difficulty here on earth (John 16:33). There will be difficult situations and people. There will be people who speak ill of us and our family, make fun of us and treat us poorly. There will be people who work alongside of us who work hard, and others who do not. There will be people who make us laugh and others who make us cry. Yet in all this struggle, we have hope beyond the obvious. The hope is not in the situation or the people surrounding us. It is not in the success or failure of life. It is not in our individual or team performance, not in having a great boss or lousy boss. Our hope and our future are secure in Christ alone.

There is an old song entitled Living for Jesus that was sung by children’s choirs many years ago. The words are part of a poem to remind all the privilege of servant leadership as believers. May these words remind you to live a joy-filled life despite the circumstances, counting the cost, placing the cross in front of your eyes and knowing there is hope eternal!

Living for Jesus
Thomas O. Chisholm (1917)

Living for Jesus a life that is true,
Striving to please Him in all that I do.
Yielding allegiance, glad-hearted and free,
This is the pathway of blessing for me.

O Jesus, Lord and Savior,
I give myself to Thee,
For Thou, in Thine atonement
Didst give Thyself for me;

I own no other Master,
My heart shall be Thy throne,
My life I give, henceforth to live,
O Christ, for Thee alone.

Living for Jesus who died in my place,
Bearing on Calvary my sin and disgrace.
Such love constrains me to answer His call,
Follow His leading and give Him my all.

Living for Jesus wherever I am,
Doing each duty in His holy name.
Willing to suffer affliction and loss,
Deeming each trial, a part of my cross.

Living for Jesus through earth’s little while,
My dearest treasure, the light of His smile.
Seeking the lost ones, He died to redeem,
Bringing the weary to find rest in Him.
                                                      --public domain

May these words continue to bring hope to each of us as we live out our calling in His name!
"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

4832 Ponderings:
What are you hoping for this week to lighten the load of your journey?