"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead." 1 Peter 1:3
The Advent season is upon us! This week, churches all over lit the first candle in their advent wreath. The first candle we light symbolizes HOPE. But in a darkening world, it can be easy to lose hope, even for believers. 🤍
We look at the sin rising in our cities, the brokenness surrounding us, the thousands walking away from the church, and we get discouraged. We wonder how a message preached, an invite given, a simple conversation, groceries donated, or our newest event can possibly combat the encroaching darkness. Oftentimes, everything we do just seems so small. We feel like we put so much time and effort into growing our churches and minsitries, and yet it seems as though we take back very little ground. Oh, we know it turns out great in the end...but sometimes we lose hope that anything can change in the here and now.
But the beauty of the hope we have is that it is a LIVING hope. It is alive. It can reach even the hardest hearts of humanity, those that we feel deep down inside are beyond saving. It can conquer the darkest corners of civilization. It can bring revival when we least expect it. We nod our heads and agree with with these statements, we say "amen" when the pastor says something similar. And we know it's true, we do believe it with all our heart. But then we go in on Monday morning and face the long to-do list, the things we feel we need to accomplish in order for our ministry to be successful, and that hope sometimes fades into the background. And by Friday we are exhuasted, discouraged, and feel like we barely made a dent in the battle.
But you know what else can give you some hope? The fact that it is not through your strength that these battles are won. As we plan, prepare, and execute, it's easy to start to think that we are solely responsible for the advance of our churches and ministries. But that is simply not true. It is the Lord who grows our ministries, it is His Spirit that convicts and changes hearts, and His power that makes the darkness turn and flee. He chooses when and how and in what situations to move and work. This should be a relief to us, as we don't have to feel the pressure of fixing all the problems in our next staff meeting. Take a breath...it's not all on your shoulders. And thankfully, we know that He is fully able to transform our communities and He desires to do so. Sometimes we just get so caught up in doing it on our own that we forget to ask Him to step in.
You are not solely responsible for the advance of your ministry.
So if you are finding yourself discouraged and worn down today, take a minute to remind yourself that the God you serve is more than able. The darkness around you is nothing compared to His light. He can fix the brokenness. And He can do it simply through your willing and surrendered heart.
"And He has said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.' Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ’s sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong." 2 Corinthians 12:9-10
"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ; and though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, obtaining as the outcome of your faith the salvation of your souls." 1 Peter 1:3-9
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