Uh Oh Another Character Building Experience

Have you ever driven around in the eastern part of the country?  There's all this green stuff everywhere, trees all over that make the road feel almost like a tunnel.  Several years ago we went to see Joni's grandparents in Virginia, and just like at home, as you drive along the interstate the signs tell you what towns the exits will take you to.  But do you want to know what was very different - you couldn't ever see the towns, not until you took the exit ramp at least.  It was a strange feeling - we would be driving along, often right next to a town or a city, and yet I could never tell - all I saw were trees and greenery.  I've spent basically my entire life in New Mexico.  Nothing ever sneaks up on you here, you can see towns coming for miles.  I mean you can see an old abandoned gas station coming for miles between here and Vaughn.  There's not that same since of the unknown that I had there.

Sometimes our life is like that too.  There are times when things seem pretty clear, where we know where we are headed, we can see things coming from a long way off.  And then there are times like right now, times with a lot of uncertainty, when very few things seem so clear.  That can be a difficult place, a painful place even at times.  But it can also be a really great place for us spiritually.  In Romans 5 Paul says:

We also glory in our suffering, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.  And hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.

Putting out hope in Jesus in the midst of suffering or uncertainty not only helps us get through that moment, but it also helps to grow us.  Every time that we persevere, that we keep our eyes on Jesus through the midst of a storm, we get closer to him and it grows our character.  We learn to trust him more and more.  We see our faith validated and we find even more hope in Jesus because we trust Him more and more.  Not saying that perseverance is easy, or even that it's pleasant - suffering and uncertainty never are.  But we can find the good in the midst of our uncertainty.  We can see the opportunity to persevere, for God to grow our character, and for our hope in Him to grow even more.  Because as Romans says that hope is never put to shame, it will never be a disappointment, God always comes through. 

As we face the uncertainty around us follow the wise words of a great philosopher - Dory - and just keep swimming.  Your perseverance will lead to good things.  Love you guys - see you soon.