Some Days are Hard

I have a friend whose husband is back in the hospital a state away.  She and her family are spending Christmas and New Years in another city as they pray and believe that their loved one will gain health. I have a precious brother-in-law who just lost his dad to cancer. A marvelous saint in our local church was killed in a car accident just 2 weeks ago. I know others who continue to struggle with marital and divorce issues.  A friend in our small group is a desperate for a job.  Another is concerned over the choices her children are making. Last night, our dog blew out his hind leg, the "good one," and we are faced with making a difficult choice. 

This is labeled the "happiest time of the year,"  but it often doesn't feel that way.  Just this morning I heard the news anchors identify how many days until Santa comes. As if a new sweater, a cool new bike, the latest electronic, or whatever item was placed on the wish list is really going to change the course of one's life.  It made my heart sad.  I don't need a Santa Claus; I need a Savior. We all do.

Philippians 4:4-7 reads, "Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your graciousness be known to everyone.  The Lord is near.  Don't worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus." It's a passage we use to remind ourselves and others to trust God when circumstances are hard.  For those of us who have lived a life of faith for more than a season, we read it at times with a sigh of resignation followed by a determination to put on our happy, trusting-God-in-all-circumstances face. I don't think that's what Paul was referring to. Verse 4 says to rejoice in the Lord not be forced happy in spite of an unwanted circumstance.  Paul encourages us to get our eyes off of what is hard, and focus on who Jesus is.  It's a chance to gain perspective and strength and hope. 

Paul says the Lord is near.  When I read that phrase I think of someone close by, a friend holding my hand through the dark days. God does that.  And when you look at cross references that use the same Greek word used in that phrase, those verses all deal with Jesus' return to earth.  Paul believed that Christ's second coming was imminent.  He believed it was going to happen in his life time!  He felt he could put up with whatever was hard for a time because life in it's most glorious form was just around the corner.  I admit I don't live like that.  I don't tend to believe that Jesus is returning in my lifetime. I know He could, I just don't think it will happen yet. Unfortunately for me, that means I don't have that anticipation, that undeniable hope, that abundant life is literally just around the corner.  For me, it's a further off, someday occurrence.  I need to alter my point of view. I need to sit more at the feet of Jesus and learn more deeply the lessons of rejoicing in Him because I know He is near.

Paul also says to not worry, but instead take the active step of praying and petitioning the God who created all things, who is Sovereign and Lord of all.  I know at times I need to be reminded that God really isn't Santa Claus. I don't make a list and then try to be good so that God will fulfill my wishes.  I bring my needs and wants and hopes to God because He is the giver of good gifts.  I pour out my heart to Him because He loves me with an unfathomable love.  I present my needs to Him because His Word tells me He is my provider, and that He cares for me. Paul gives us a boundary for our petitioning. We are to come with a heart of thanksgiving.  I know that when I am telling God about what is hard, and how I long for Him to show up in my life or the lives of those I love, I am more able to hear and accept the answer He gives when my heart has been made aware of all that He has already done for me.  Life has taught me that even when I'm broken and aching, pouring out my longing to Jesus, begging Him to intervene, if He gives me exactly what I ask for, there will still be another circumstance down the road that will have me in the same posture and position.  Receiving the answers I imagine will fix my hard circumstances doesn't give me abundant life or peace. Verse 7 reminds me that peace comes because I am in Christ. When I think about being "in" something, I visualize being engulfed, surrounded, enveloped by whatever I am in.  When I'm "in" a snow storm, the snow is all around me and it is all that I see.  I think being "in Christ" should have that same type of experience.

I'm reminded as I look at this passage and filter through my thoughts that prayer isn't about getting what I want.  Prayer is about getting closer to the One who loves me and gave His life to save me.  I don't need a Santa Claus god; I need a Savior.  And He has come, Immanuel, God with us, even on days that are hard.