The good news is that editing and reviewing my first year as a sidewalk counselor brought back with full impact the miracles God wrought in that terrible place. I had forgotten some of them, and at the time, many had not yet come to their conclusion, and things looked bleak. When you are in the midst of struggle, you do not see God's hand so clearly as when you have the perspective of hindsight.
This is a very important point.
When we are in the middle of a long journey, we can't see the humble beginning nor the hoped for glorious end. We are too far to turn back, but too tired to travel on. It is easy to be only aware of the thorns that snag us from the side, the stones along the way that lodge in our shoes, the rain that dampens our spirits, the cold that freezes our resolve, the sun that turns our hopes and dreams into mirages that vanish as soon as we draw near. Sometimes, we lose sight of the beauty along the way.
John Lennon said, "Everything will be ok in the end. If it's not okay, it's not the end."
Now I would hardly look to John Lennon for spiritual guidance, however, I like this sentiment. I would add a caveat. To those who put their faith and trust in Jesus, the end will be good. I do not believe that will be the case for those who don't.
However, God also encourages us to continue on the journey even when it seems impossible. He promises that a great reward awaits those who persevere. I love this quote that I discovered yesterday: Faith is the bird that sings when the dawn is still dark.(Sir Tagore)
If you are in the middle of a difficult journey, you are not alone, even though it feels like it. Keep your eyes on the goal, the upward call in Christ Jesus, and keep taking the next small step of obedience. One day you will look back from the mountaintop, and marvel at your lonely journey with the insight you would never have made it on your own.
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