Why We Have Hope Even When It Seems Unlikely We Can Succeed

The dog in the photo didn’t move off his bed all morning. He ran 4 1/2 miles with me today, which was the furthest he had yet run with me. He had led a fairly sedentary life before he came to live with us temporarily. Due to his mom and dad working and in school, he spent a lot of time sleeping. Then, he came to stay for a few months with us while his human folks go through some transitions in housing/work.  As anyone knows who knows me, I don’t do “rest.” My “rest” is found in activity...lots of it. Ragnar was in for an abrupt change of lifestyle.

When he first came he could not even run a mile. His tongue would hang a few yards out of his mouth, and he would drag far behind. I encouraged him to stay the course, but he looked at me mournfully. Walks, never runs,  up to that point in his life involved stopping to sniff and pee on every bush. Our first run together was not very promising. This sled dog, bred to travel hundreds of miles on frozen tundra, was the most out-of-shape dog I knew. At first I thought he was just lazy...but I think he just had never been challenged to any test of endurance.  

I slowly built his mileage, bringing him with me on my daily run for a short portion of it, and building his stamina on walks at least twice a day. Our runs began as walk/runs...walk ten minutes, run five.  As in all things, his daily exercise and increased expectations gradually led to increased strength and stamina. His tongue was not quite as long, his panting not quite as fast, his expression not quite as hang-dog.

And after about two months, he is running 45 minutes straight, 4 1/2 miles. He deserves to rest all morning. He has earned it.

This is an important spiritual principle. What we exercise becomes stronger. I believe this is part of the reason God is forever sending and/or allowing opposition to enter our lives. If we are just cruising along with no need to challenge our spiritual muscles of faith, perseverance, hope, and reliance on God...we will not have those qualities to call upon when we most need them. 

Our sermon Sunday was about facing opposition and maintaining hope in the midst of great trials. It was perfect timing in terms of what our Cities4Life teams increasingly face on the sidewalks of the busiest abortion center in the Southeast. There is ALWAYS opposition to our mission to share the love and truth of Jesus and offer tangible support to dissuade women from considering abortion. Lately, that opposition seems to have ramped up.

Our pastor made three points about why we should remain hopeful in the face of adversity.

1. Recognize there is always and always has been opposition to God’s work. There is always opposition to the Gospel. Jesus Himself faced continual opposition. So did all God’s people whose stories are shared throughout the Bible. Expect opposition.

2. Always hope because God’s work always gets through opposition. Opposition does not mean we are forgotten. We are called to perseverance, not to comfort. All the promises God makes WILL come to fruition. Maybe not on our timetable, but always on time.

3. God is always at work and His Word is powerful. Always point those who oppose us back to God’s word. We can have hope because we know God’s word is active, alive, and never returns void.

Throughout the sermon, I thought of the latest opposition out on the sidewalk. The adversary is foolish...but relentless. However, as usual, the encouragement from the Bible gave me renewed hope and vigor. In fact, it confirmed and energized me to return to our vital work proclaiming life.

So did the efforts of this good dog, who continues to ask me to go for a run each morning, knowing he is going to be DOG TIRED when he returns but also knowing he has persevered and emerged victorious..

Colossians 1:11-12 

May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy, giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light.

Hebrews 10:39 

But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who have faith and preserve their souls.

2 Peter 3:9   

The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.

James 1:12 

Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.