“To everything there is a season, A time for every purpose under heaven: …A time to gain, And a time to lose…”
Ecclesiastes 3:1, 6
“Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
Philippians 4:11-13
Somewhere I picked up this idea that life was to be a constant upward trajectory in all things. That idea was confirmed as I have listened to much contemporary preaching in my circles that if I served God my life and circumstances were somehow assured of being a non-stop ride to success and abundancy. I understood that the early years of my life might be meager and struggling, but as I moved along through life there was this pseudo-optimism that I would never face lack or resistance. There is an appropriate biblical optimism to be sure, but for many any glitch in their sense of convenience or trajectory of success is a gut-punch. For some, they toss in the towel and quit the journey. I have been reading an increase of stories concerning millennials, in particular, who are jumping off the ship of Christianity and deconstructing their faith. They can paint the reasons any way they wish for that decision, but the irreducible reason for it is disappointment. Something didn’t fit into their paradigm of expectations and it left them disappointed and jaded. I don’t judge them (in the contemporary sense of the word), in fact, there have been times I have battled those same pesky thoughts. The difference, I think, in how I handled those moments was a clear understanding of the totality of what the Bible promised.
Even a cursory review of the Bible shows us that God’s people will find themselves in the best of times and the worst of times. That is what the Ecclesiastes writer is reminding me. There are seasons of gain and seasons of loss. Paul said it similarly when he said he understood how to be abased and how to abound. The question now is presented to me, “Do I get that?” Because those moments are not arbitrary or capricious, but rather purposeful. They are moments where I can clearly experience the sufficiency of Christ’s strength.
So, today’s Pandemic Perspective Post is what I call a “truth in advertising” moment. I will face adversity as I follow the Lord. I may indeed face setback. My stock portfolio and 401K may take a hit. I could lose my job, take a pay cut, or even be subject to the disease. However, here me clearly, I believe in a God who heals, delivers, and prospers; but He does not suspend my life and participation in this fallen world. There is no inherent spiritual forcefield to exempt me from any possibility. I am IN the world, but not OF the world (John 17:16). I face obstacles, but I am content in the midst of that challenge, and I purpose to overcome it in Christ’s strength. Seasons of life will change for God’s purposes and I will be faithful in this season of adversity.
I cannot count the number of times I have told people that words like, “overcomer”, are meaningless unless you are facing something that requires you to prevail. “Triumphant” is a meaningless word unless you are facing a potential setback. “Conqueror” is a pointless word unless you are facing a loss. All of these wonderful biblical words find their deepest expression of meaning and understanding when I stand in the place of adversity.
So today I am content in my circumstances realizing that I will be used by God to demonstrate His strength. I will not quit. I will not be discouraged. I will not walk away from the faith because I feel disappointed.
I can do ALL things…
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