Today, we went to church, in person for the first time in a long time. We shared communion. Albeit masked and socially distant, it was a great moment to see old friends and enjoy a sense of community again.
Speaking to friends today, I was joking around, that I feel a bit like Job because recently all 3 cars decided to break down, and if that wasn’t enough, just before a small gathering at the house, my espresso machine died on me. Along with all the issues we are dealing with on the business side, having the kids at home all of last week, my pear trees catching blackspot, it has felt like a month and a half just in the last week.
But then the words of the song we sang today really hit me. Its from that song “Another in the Fire” by Hillsong United. Specifically the verse says “I count the joy come every battle, because I know thats where You’ll be”.
Boy, does that reset your perspective. I need to count the joy in every battle, because God is in the midst of our battles. We aren’t alone, and neither should we feel lonely. Relish every battle because as the other song goes “The battle belongs to the Lord”. It’s in the midst of difficult times that we encounter God. Too many folks lose their way in the easy times, in the times of plenty. But God is evident, is at work, in the times of weakness, in the times of battle.
Paul says this best,
But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.
2 Corinthians 12:9
and again,
7 But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. 8 We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; 9 persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed;
2 Corinthians 4:7-9
So I understand, that every difficult place, every valley, is intentional, because it is a place of meeting. I always recall my time in London, and how I understood for the first time, that the first part of the Gospel message is to convict of sin, because without conviction, without the scales falling from our eyes and our need for Him becoming evident, we feel like we can go it alone. These trying times demonstrate our inadequacy, which makes us more aware of our Father.
So I will boast about my weakness, that the power of Christ may be evident!