Remember the days past when, after you had been enlightened,
you endured a great contest of suffering.
.....knowing that you had a better and lasting possession.
Therefore, do not throw away your confidence.
O ccasionally, when offering spiritual advice, I ask my friend, "Is this the worst thing that's happen to you?" Sometimes it is; more often, it's not. I have found the question helpful as I face my own challenges, and I ask with genuine curiosity,
Humans have an extraordinary ability to remember the past; not only that which we've personally experienced, but that of others. We remember things that happened within our own years, as few as they might be; and important events that shaped our lives long before we were born. We listen to stories for that purpose, to expand our cache of experience. Everything might be important, nothing should go to waste. (John 6:12)
Remembering the past during hard times often encourages us. We've been here before; we survived; enjoy the ride.
Hebrews encourages us to remember the sacrifices we made, and that we were glad to do so. Sacrifice is an easy practice to neglect, put off, forget, and devalue. We can always find reasons not to sacrifice. But the Spirit of the Lord reminds us it is necessary and because it's necessary, it's good. It's right and just; and has its own satisfaction. We go on, we dig in and make the effort, rising to the occasion. We've done this before...
...that which we are, we are;
One equal temper of heroic hearts,
Made weak by time and fate, but strong in will
To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield.
Sure, Tennyson's Ulysses is a bombastic old fool, but we must often be fools for Christ, and we're seeking that eternal rest with the Lord who is our endless delight.
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I love to write. This blog helps me to meditate on the Word of God, and I hope to make some contribution to our contemplations of God's Mighty Works.
Ordinarily, I write these reflections two or three weeks in advance of their publication. I do not intend to comment on current events.
I understand many people prefer gender-neutral references to "God." I don't disagree with them but find that language impersonal, unappealing and tasteless. When I refer to "God" I think of the One whom Jesus called "Abba" and "Father", and I would not attempt to improve on Jesus' language.
You're welcome to add a thought or raise a question.