A Devotional Thought by Pastor Phil
I am growing numb.
I am starting to feel like the hamster in the wheel. I’m running and going nowhere. Every day seems to just run into the next and then the next and it all feels the same.
When I stop to think objectively about it, I realize none of the things I just said are true. Every day is not the same as the last. I am doing different things, and new things each day and I am getting things accomplished. Yet, despite the objective reality that says differently, I still feel numb, going nowhere, and every day just running into the next. I’ve been wondering why?
I think I’ve stumbled onto the reason. Like everyone else, I am waiting for this pandemic to end but know it’s not going to happen this week, this month, or this year. I am confident it will happen, however, and I am longing for the day it will happen. I think it’s that longing for the end that has me feeling off in the present. Does that make sense?
It's got me thinking about the longing described by the believers in the New Testament for the return of Jesus that will make all things right. They longed because they were facing their own struggles, feeling hostility from Jews on one side and Romans on the other. They longed for it to end. Just as we long for the pandemic to end.
However, in their struggles they held onto a few truths.
- Jesus was real, had died for their sins and had risen again
- They were right with God because of their faith in the work of Jesus
- They were certain of the eternal future they longed for because they knew they were right with God
- God was with them, pouring his love into them, producing his fruit in them, accomplishing His purposes through them by the Holy Spirit.
As a result, they were able to persevere through the struggles, grow closer to Christ, and even rejoice in the struggles (not because of the struggles, but in the midst of them).
Paul says, “...we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us” (Romans 5:3-5)
What does all this mean for how I am feeling? It means I focus on the love being poured into my heart today by the Holy Spirit. As a result, this is not just another day just like the last day and running into the next. This is a new day that I get to experience with God. And because I am confident of my future, I can put it aside and not fret about it.
Instead, I focus on today and ask “God how do you want to bless me today and who do you want me to bless?”
Whew, I feel like I just gave myself a pep talk. I hope I have done the same for you.
