Enduring Hope

It is hard to believe we are almost at the end of another year, and what a year it’s been! Like many of you, I’ve also been through a lot this year. Some of which I have kept to myself or am not able to share here. In fact, the last month has been a rollercoaster of emotions for me. I feel like I’ve gone from low to high right back down to low to high again!

Just like all of you, I’ve dealt with difficulties directly and indirectly as a result of the pandemic. Yet, I’ve also dealt with problems and fears this year that could have come in any ordinary year. When I look back through my life and consider all of it, I realize life will most certainly be full of highs and lows despite whatever the present environment is in which we live.

When we look at the history of some of the faithful heroes we read about in the Bible, their lives were really very much like ours too – full of highs and lows. Abraham, Joseph, David, Esther, Daniel, and Christ’s disciples are some that come to mind. They lived incredible lives, but wow, think of the troubles they faced in their lifetimes!

During the Christmas season, I also remember how the much favored Mary and Joseph did not have easy lives either. They lived in a very difficult time period. The beginning of their marriage was not ideal since she was entering it as an unwed mother, and Joseph certainly was not the father.

How much faith, trust, and hope they had in the real Father! Yet, Mary and Joseph had so many lows as well as highs.

There were the circumstances around Jesus’ birth. A hard and dangerous journey to Bethlehem was followed by a birth in a dirty stable. These parents then experienced the high of marveling at the coming of kings with gifts honoring the young Jesus.

There was a scary low with a flight for His life to Egypt. Then, there must have been such joy and amazement at a Son Whose wisdom exceeded all of mankind and the miracles that He performed. Finally, all hope must have seemed lost as Mary saw that same Son and promised King being beaten and crucified.

Yet, we know how this story ends with the grave overcome – a high that will never end. All of those experiences in the lives of Mary and Joseph – the good and the bad – were part of an incredible plan only God could orchestrate.

So today, I realize some of you may be feeling weary from the circumstances of this year. You may not be feeling a lot of joy this season or are battling some real lows in your life right now. I want to encourage you to remember that God is working in those lows. He is working in the lives of those who love Him today just as He did in the lives those faithful heroes long ago. He is orchestrating a greater plan than any of us can comprehend! Christ is with us, and we have an enduring hope!