Psalm 30:5 (NLT)
For his anger lasts only a moment,
but his favor lasts a lifetime!
Weeping may last through the night,
but joy comes with the morning.
Confession time. I’m one of those sacrilegious people who write all in my Bible. In the margin of this verse, I’ve scribbled, “Look at the whole picture.” With the narrow, self-centered view of this world pummeling us, it's easy to get bogged down in all the struggles of life. Pain, brokenness, loneliness, and bitterness pervade. We flail helplessly, doing our best just to get by, to get to the next paycheck or comfort or hit or sexual encounter or feel-good day. We just want the human condition to cease. So we sleep or pass out or flip on the television. We’ll start anew tomorrow. And many times, we wake up the same way. Or worse off than we were before. And this even goes for believers in Jesus!
When we’re consumed with the litany of pot holes in our journey, we’re always looking down. Our eyes only see all the damage and danger. But if we are brave enough to look up, to see the prize at the end at the end of the journey. This makes this bumpy journey not only bearable but joyful. We witness Jesus, grinning and arms outstretched, willing us to the finish line. We will trip up, skin our knees, bruise brittle bones, battle the conflicting voices in our heads. But with faith, patience, perseverance, and persistence in and through Christ, we will reach that glorious day. Remember this: Now matter how rough it is (and have we hit some rough patches on the road of life!), this brief time is a drop in the oceans of the world compared to the sheer joy of Jesus. And living with him forever.
So wait in praying. So wait building relationships in your small groups. So wait pursuing God. So wait seeing and savoring Jesus. SO wait…because Jesus loves us! And is on the way! And is here now! Come, LORD Jesus, come!
Look at the whole picture.
