Life is not fair. Ease is not a way of life for mankind. People, as all God’s other creatures, face sporadic hardship, struggle, and adjustment. We tire of climbing our assigned rocky mountain trail, or grudgingly wading through muddy fields. Dry scorching terrain and sleepless nights feel overwhelming as we traipse our mortal journey through Time.
So, is the long run really worth it? Why can’t we ditch this job, join those laughing crowds, and start having “fun”? Yes, life gets harder than we expected . . . but wait, there’s more.
This tattered Monarch butterfly was found in my backyard. It’s autumn, a time for the yearly Monarch migration to Mexico’s mountains, Our area has faced massive drought—heat and fire ravaged the local environment this summer. Monarch groups have been few, as many worn butterflies have died on their long journey. With food supplies devastated in many regions, the insects must keep fluttering south, traveling hundreds of miles through natural disaster. They wend their way because instinct demands they do so. Battered and hungry, butterflies often die obeying that unchangeable command: “Go south!”
We also have a command to obey: “choose.” If one receives Christian faith, one should live by the righteous ways outlined in God’s Word; pursuing holiness, perseverance, steadfastness, and trust! We muse choose to continue this personal pathway to eternity—no matter the conditions. By faith in God we can successfully overcome rocks that would cause us to stumble, tragic detours, and any fiery dart thrown by Satan. God will use those negative circumstances to refine our spiritual mind, prove His merciful power, and teach us to further trust Him. Romans 8:28 says, “For God shall work out all things according to His purpose for our good, and for His glory as we trust in Him.”
By choice . . . by faith . . . in hope and response to God’s command, we can handle life, because God is our Personal Helper. He has promised we can receive strength for each life-task—providing that strength comes from His divine wisdom, grace, and love. He knows our way, because He made the map. His intent is to help us make it victoriously to our eternal home, not lie tattered in the spiritual dust of failure. His promise for our weariness is: “Do not fear for I am with you. I will strengthen and help you. I will uphold you with my righteous right hand” (Isaiah 41:10). And we live knowing that, by God’s grace, we “shall go to dwell in the house of [our] Lord forever!” (Psalm 23:6). —pic and copy submitted by Sandra Thompson, US
