Here we are again, another week down, another year coming to an end. And yet, here you are still looking at what God-willing will be another encouragement on your journey to serve the Lord. Life can be crazy! And it doesn’t stop. We are on a constant pace of carving out time to check the path we are on. In other words, there are so many obstacles to navigate especially when we are talking about ministry.
I’m going to bring up disc golf again because I have very few outlets at the moment, and that just so happens to be the one that fits what the Lord has encouraged me with today. On the course, there is a phrase used when you throw your drive to try and impress people with your unique skills and show how close you can get to the basket. However, after about 80 ft, something happens to your throw. Your dead straight and perfectly placed shot goes right into a tree. So maybe it wasn’t so perfectly placed? Seemed to be for the first few seconds of its flight. And queue the phrase.
“You know, I would be a lot better if it weren’t for the trees.”
Ah yes, because our skill alone is what determines our ability to navigate the tree lines and hills and wind that might push the disc. I’m being sarcastic. It’s through these difficult obstacles that we can grow and become better. Maybe not perfect, but if we choose the most straightforward path or stop playing a particular course, we would never learn to overcome those things that are placed on our way.
God expects us to endure. He calls us to lead and be faithful even under the most difficult of circumstances. To know that while I can have the skill, the trials and tribulations allow me to know that I am on the right path.
James 1:2-4
“Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.”
These obstacles are nothing more than an opportunity to remain faithful and produce goodness in our lives and ministries. Don’t run from it, don’t ignore, don’t flee to something easier but endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.
Faith in action does not run away from the trial but receives with joy knowing that Christ endured and we share in that suffering and in the glory through faith in Him in all things.
Manny Hernandez is the Junior High Pastor at Calvary PHX in Phoenix, Arizona.
