Joy in EnduranceSample

We love independence! “I Did it My Way” (An old song title) perfectly describes how we want to live way too much of the time. Until we get into trouble, we don’t want help or anyone telling us what to do. In Matthew 23:37, Jesus watched as the people He created were destroying themselves, ignoring Him, and ruining all the good He wanted to do by transforming their lives into the beauty He had intended for them. As a mother hen protects her chicks by gathering them under her wings – He wanted to protect them and build them up. It broke His heart, and He wept over them.

Jesus Christ is the uncreated Creator of the universe, and lovingly created all of us. He knows what is best for us. When we are wise, we let Him direct our lives. Colossians 3:3-4 lets us in on a beautiful secret; if we have died to our old life and allow our new life to be hidden in Christ, we not only are protected now, but when Jesus appears to take us all home with Him, we have the privilege of appearing with Him forever. That’s exciting! But it requires us to be in Him, and not just for now; to endure, staying under Him, protected from the evil influences of the world.

Let us from today forward, live the way our Creator designed us to live – in peace and joy, that only comes from living in Him.