Elevation Point Church

None of us like grief or difficulty — but we all love joyful moments. However, it’s often the moments of grief that leads to the joy. If we don’t trust God’s timing/process, we’ll go through the difficult seasons before we’re supposed to; which will cause us to miss the joyful seasons. Grief and disappointment aren’t easy, but sometimes they’re good. Not because the grief is good, but because what’s on the other side of it is.

When circumstances arise, we can respond in faith or in fear. The manner in which we respond tends to be determined by what the circumstance actually is. We may respond to some adversity one way, and other adverse situations another way. However, scripture instructs us to respond the same way, no matter what the circumstance. Whatever it is, our response should be the same — and that’s with a confidence of knowing God is working.

When the Israelites needed water, God told Moses and Aaron what to do — He said to speak to the rock. However, Moses and Aaron hit the rock instead. Even though they didn’t do as God said, water still came from the rock. Yet, while water still came from the rock, it also came with a high price. Because they did it their way instead of God’s way, they were no longer able to enter the Promised Land with everyone else. When we do it our way, it may work for a season — but the consequences will always catch up to us eventually.

Persistence is a vital key to anything of value. Many begin journeys, but few display the persistence it takes to fulfill the journey. We grow tired, hopeless, and doubtful as time goes on. It’s always easier in those moments to give up. To think that there’s no point. To want to avoid appearing desperate. Yet, those are the moments where persistence is most important. When we’re persistent, we can find the peace we need to know that God will be faithful and fulfill exactly what He promised.

We can tend to get so caught up in the method that we miss the miraculous. God doesn’t change, His word doesn’t change; but the way he fulfills His word can change. The way God had David defeat the Philistine’s the first time was different than the way He did it the second time. If David would’ve just done what worked the first time God gave victory, he and his men would have been defeated. We must understand that God’s plan of attack and victory may be different each time.

We don’t always understand everything in life. We don’t always understand how/why God works the way He does. We don’t always understand everything we go through. But there’s a purpose. It may feel messy, but there’s a purpose. It may be difficult, but there’s a purpose. As we take steps of obedience, God moves. As He moves, we change.

If we’re honest, many of us find it easier just not to get our hopes up. We would rather not see a glimmer of hope at all than to be let down. It seems better that way. Because the pain of lost hope tends to feel unbearable. But what if the hope is what kept our story alive? What if what seemed like the end of our story was just the beginning of a better story?

We all want to feel loved, wanted, and needed. However, sometimes we become so busy juggling different responsibilities and plans, that we lose sight of what’s important. When Jesus showed up, Mary refused to miss it — while Martha, her sister, was so busy with everything else, that she nearly missed what Jesus was doing. Martha was too busy to notice that what mattered most was right in front of her.

Life is confusing. Not just for those who aren’t followers of Jesus, but even for those who are. We don’t always understand why God works the way He does, or why life turns out the way it does. But the uncertainty of a Christlike life isn’t an excuse for an uncommitted life. Even in the questions, even in the waiting, and even in the confusion… we are to be committed.