As February rapidly comes to a close, I am surprised at how fast this year is going and how much has happened!
Difficulties everywhere
From the unrest and riots in Egypt, Tunisia, Lybia and other places (including Wisconsin!), to the continued economic difficulties for many people, to the intense weather and natural disasters, to the ongoing tests in my own life - things are not like they used to be.
Sometimes I long for those "good old" days, but not too often. Sure, for me things were easier financially, personally and in ministry work but God has grown me and shown me so much since then…I don't want to go back.
Things learned
Here is what I know:
- God is good
- He is faithful
- Jesus is who he says he is
- He wants a real relationship with each of us
- The Holy Spirit is powerful and active
Hope is real
I have hope in the midst of my circumstances. I know God will provide, protect and bring about his perfect plans for me. Semper Vita will happen (soon!). A few days ago, I found a piece of paper with the following verse on it:
"Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer." Romans 12:12, NIV
When I wrote this verse down it was as a reminder to me to let God keep working on me to become this kind of person. He has allowed trials and affliction in my life since then.
As I read the verse this time, I no longer felt the pang of conviction that I used to feel - that conviction that I had a long way to go before I could honestly read and agree with those words. Over these past years God has grown me to rejoice in hope in the midst of trials, to be patient in affliction, and faithful in prayer. My desire is to remain faithful in prayer with my hope in God and my eyes on Jesus.
Who is with me?
As an American living in Germany, this post really resonates with me! The European community is wondering what to do with the influx of all the refugees from Libya, the economic competition is fierce, the natural disasters keep happening. I am way outside my comfort zone living as a foreigner, working in a foreign land and interacting with others often in a foreign language. I often times feel so very alone; I notice the many misconceptions that the international community holds about America and Americans in general and I can feel so afflicted by the potential for misunderstandings here. I feel what Henriet is describing - that living in the world is not getting any easier, it is getting tougher. It is easy to get stuck focusing on the marketing images of wealth, beauty and glamor that surround us all. And although I feel the trials of this time as well in my life, it is interesting that I also am hearing this message in my prayer life of rejoice, praise and know that God has good things for those of us who love Him! I feel that now more than ever, the Christian community needs to come together and serve together; we need courage to do this, we need to trust God even when it is hard, and rejoice because He is there. We will receive honor when we serve others for God's glory! Henriet, I am with you!
Posted by: Christa Suerken | March 02, 2011 at 01:34 AM