Endurance part 2
In real estate it's, "Location location location." In relationships it's, "Timing timing timing." Sometimes you're the right person in the right place... at the wrong time. Which is to say, sometimes no matter what you do, you can't always get what you want. But, as the Rolling Stones put it, if you try sometimes you just might find you get what you need. And here's my point for today: Jesus is the Alpha and the Omega, right? The beginning and the end? Which means LOVE is the beginning and the end. Which means if you start with love, and end with love, then love can also be everything in between. But if the timing's not right you'll be let down by unrealistic expectations. You'll be disappointed because--from your limited point of view--it might feel like love didn't get the job done. Even though, in the grand scheme of things, love never fails. Love always prospers in what He sets out to do. Which is give us the Kingdom. Lead and guide us into all truth. The ultimate truth of the universe that the Father loveth the Son and hath given all things into His hands. That YOUR heavenly Father loves YOU and has given all things into YOUR hands. And what that means is... you have what you need. Already. Right now. And it's very much like the Wizard of Oz, where you go on a journey trying to GET what you need only to find that you had it all along. But the timing wasn't right. You know what they say about people, right? People are like teabags. Put them in hot water to see what they're really made up. I've been in situations before where I absolutely positively KNEW something was impossible... until it happened. Then I was like, "Huh." Awestruck. Because seeing is believing. And what you experience always trumps what you might think. Now you might be asking what that has to do with endurance. And if you're not asking that, it's ok. I'll ask for you. What does that have to do with endurance? Well, quite simply, when the timing is NOT right... you endure. You don't get discouraged. You don't give up. You don't stop loving in order to try something different. Love never fails. It just might not succeed the way we think it should, in the timeframe we think is good. But as soon as you stop loving you stop living. Truly living. As soon as you stop loving you stop experiencing the abundant, everlasting, eternal, Resurrection Life of Jesus. You stop experiencing the gift of God that He freely gave to you when He gave His life for you and gave His life to you. So, even when things don't "go your way" you endure. You protect your heart by keeping it soft. Keeping it open to love. You don't let the world isolate you, or knock you down. And even if it DOES knock you down, Daddy will help you back up. And He will keep you from falling. Because love never fails. It's our strength. It's the Rock we stand on. It's our foundation. And even though the timing might not be right right this second, your story isn't written. There are more chapters to come. And if you fill them with love... then it'll be a good story. Guaranteed!