A counselor once said that my problem was that I wanted to live in a greenhouse where everything is nice and controlled and perfect. He was right. I don’t like dealing with problems. I hate people fussing about things. I despise turmoil and confusion. Unfortunately, that is almost equivalent to saying I hate life because life is full of problems, fuss, turmoil and confusion. The real issue is not disliking the troubles of life, but rather whether or not we will strive against them. If, as I suggested last week, Christians renounce all the powers of evil, we have to be ready to join in battle against them. We are engaged in struggle with evil, and we dare not surrender to it.
In the 8th century Andrew, Archbishop of Crete, wrote a hymn that is one of my favorites:
Christian, dost thou see them
On the holy ground,
How the powers of darkness
Compass thee around?
Christian, up and smite them,
Counting gain but loss,
Smite them by the merit
Of the holy cross.
The hymn closes with the voice of Jesus giving assurance.
Well I know thy trouble
O my servant true:
Thou art very weary,
I was weary too;
But that toil shall make thee
Some day all mine own,
And the end of sorrow
Shall be near my throne.
Life is a struggle, friends. The powers of darkness surround us, but our final victory has been promised by sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Don’t lose hope. Have faith in him.
Read Ephesians 6:10-18, and remember: God loves YOU unconditionally.
Wayne
Today’s Reading: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ephesians+6%3A10-18&version=NRSV\
Joy Lutheran Church Ocala, Florida 