“Don’t always be asking, “Where are the good old days?” – Ecclesiastes 7:10 Message Bible.
A wise man once said, “If you don’t understand where you are going, everywhere will look like it.” This should not be the case for us Christians who have the Holy Spirit, our Helper, and a Sure Guide, committed to leading us into all truth. As John 16:13 New International Version assures us, “But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on His own; He will speak only what He hears, and He will tell you what is yet to come.”
While the world may be confused about tomorrow and uncertain about the way forward, our situation as children of God is fundamentally different. The Scriptures are clear that God’s will for us involves EVER-INCREASING GLORY. As 2 Corinthians 3:18 New International Version states, “And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into His image with EVER-INCREASING GLORY, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.”
This transformation process indicates that our journey is marked by continual growth and increasing reflection of God’s glory. We are not left to wander aimlessly; instead, we are guided by the Holy Spirit towards a future filled with divine purpose and clarity. As Romans 8:14 New International Version reminds us, “For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God.” Our path is directed by God Himself, ensuring that we walk in His will and experience His unfolding plan for our lives.
Moreover, Philippians 1:6 New International Version encourages us with the promise, “being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” This underscores the assurance that God’s work in us is progressive and destined for completion, reflecting His glory increasingly as we grow in Him. Therefore, as believers, we are not subject to the confusion and uncertainty that the world experiences. We are guided by the Spirit of truth and transformed from glory to glory, assured of God’s continuous work in our lives, leading us toward His ultimate purpose and glory.
Quitting is easy for anyone to do, but living is hard work. We don’t need God’s grace to live an easy life; grace is bestowed for the hard stuff that life is made of. Any dead fish can swim downstream, but it takes a living fish to swim upstream, which is what true living is all about.
Living a meaningful and purposeful life requires effort, resilience, and determination. It’s in the challenging moments that God’s grace shines the brightest. The Apostle Paul understood this well, and he encourages us in Romans 8:37 (NLT), “No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us.” This verse reminds us that, no matter how tough the journey gets, we are more than conquerors through Him who gives us strength.
Life’s difficulties are not meant to defeat us but to refine us. Grace is the divine enablement we receive to face life’s adversities with courage and faith. It’s this grace that empowers us to swim upstream, against the current of life’s challenges, and emerge victorious.
In our walk with God, we are called to embrace the hard work of living fully and faithfully. This means persevering when things get tough, relying on His grace to carry us through. True living isn’t about taking the easy path but about overcoming obstacles and growing stronger in the process. As we do so, we experience the overwhelming victory that comes from living a life empowered by Christ’s love and grace. So, let’s not settle for an easy, unchallenging existence. Let’s strive for a life that reflects the strength and resilience that God’s grace provides. [To be concluded next week].
