How many of you struggle with the challenges of success and failure? We all do, don’t we? It’s amazing to me that some well-meaning people think that if you are doing “God’s will” that the path will be easy. Really?
They haven’t been reading the same Bible I have!
This morning I was reading about the disciples and their actions after the resurrection. A week later they were still hiding behind locked doors. They were still uncertain as to their future existence. The religious leaders were trying to come up with answers for the missing body of Christ. They were claiming the disciples stole it and if that was true, they could be arrested, tried and condemned.
Jesus met them behind the locked doors. He gave them encouragement, peace and power.
“Eight days later the followers were again inside a house. Thomas was with them. The doors were locked. Jesus came and stood among them. He said, ‘May you have peace!‘” John 20:26 NLV
Those words weren’t just for the disciples, they are written for us too.
“Jesus said to him, “You believe because you see me. Great blessings belong to the people who believe without seeing me!” John 20:29 ERV
We are the ones who believe without seeing Him. We believe by faith.
The Apostle Paul encountered tremendous opposition on his missionary journeys. Town after town Paul was either thrown in prison, beaten, run off or all of the above. Yes, he would teach and see people born again but it wasn’t easy.
Here’s Paul’s mindset on all of it.
“We have troubles all around us, but we are not defeated. We often don’t know what to do, but we don’t give up. 9 We are persecuted, but God does not leave us. We are hurt sometimes, but we are not destroyed.” II Corinthians 4:8-9 ERV
and this
“I don’t mean that I am exactly what God wants me to be. I have not yet reached that goal. But I continue trying to reach it and make it mine. That’s what Christ Jesus wants me to do. It is the reason he made me his. 13 Brothers and sisters, I know that I still have a long way to go. But there is one thing I do: I forget what is in the past and try as hard as I can to reach the goal before me. 14 I keep running hard toward the finish line to get the prize that is mine because God has called me through Christ Jesus to life up there in heaven.” II Corinthians 4:12-14 ERV
There it is – One Thing! Our one thing in life is to look to Jesus. Running the race that He has called us too; knowing that He will never leave us or abandon us. Knowing that even though things may look their worst God is in control and we will not be destroyed.
Take a look at this. Jesus’ life appeared to be a failure to his followers. He was killed by the Romans, but it didn’t end there. He rose from the dead by the power of God. He died for us! And He lives for us!
“We must never stop looking to Jesus. He is the leader of our faith, and he is the one who makes our faith complete. He suffered death on a cross. But he accepted the shame of the cross as if it were nothing because of the joy he could see waiting for him. And now he is sitting at the right side of God’s throne. 3 Think about Jesus. He patiently endured the angry insults that sinful people were shouting at him. Think about him so that you won’t get discouraged and stop trying.” Hebrews 12:1-3 ERV
Don’t get discouraged! What others see as failure Paul saw as light affliction. What others see as defeat, Jesus looked past and saw the joy of victory.
Keep focused on the One Thing – doing what God has called you to do – and you’ll end in victory!