Seeing the invisible
It reminded me of our Championship basketball game in High School. When we came out of the tunnel for that final game, we saw a sea of maroon covering the entire bleacher area. It seemed as if the whole town was there that day. There was even a sign in the crowd that had my name on it. I’ll never forget that moment when I first saw all our fans cheering us on. I couldn’t believe that so many of them wanted to see us and how passionately they were rooting for us. I want to tear up just thinking about it.
Our crowd of witnesses are usually invisible, but on those days you could actually see, feel, and hear the support. They give encouragement to persevere. As one book puts it, we aren’t promised that the journey will be easy, only that the destination will be worth it. The journey of life can be long, hard, and painful but we are being cheered, encouraged, and carried along. And we’re never alone.
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.” – Hebrews 12:1
It’s a hard knock life
“I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.” – John 14:18
Little orphan Annie has been a source of hope and inspiration to millions spanning across the world throughout time. Ushering words of wisdom, hope, and good cheer, she reminds us that there is, indeed, another day. As we find ourselves living lives of struggle in the midst of a winter that never seems to end, we can learn from her simple, childlike faith. Let us recall how we were once orphans who were bought with a price and have been adopted into a royal family. We look to a better and brighter day when our trials will be a distant memory.
Ok, I don’t really write like that but I thought it would be fun. Let’s take a look at this story using scriptures:
Annie was looking to and longing for a better day: “Instead, they werelonging for a better country—a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them.” -Hebrews 11:16
Annie believed that this day would come: “Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see… And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” – Hebrews 11:1-6
Annie took comfort in thinking about how good the future will be: “He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” – Revelation 21:4
Annie had simple trust: “I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” – Matthew 18:3
Annie brought joy to others despite her circumstances: “A cheerful heart is a good medicine.” – Proverbs 17:22
Annie was rescued: “I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.” – John 14:18
Annie was adopted: “He predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will” – Ephesians 1:5
Annie was treated like royalty: “How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!” – 1 John 3:1
Someone (Jesus) cares a smidge if you’re in an orphanage. It’s a hardknock life, but that isn’t the complete story. Somehow, the hard knocks will be worth it in the end:
“Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirswith Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory. I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. The creation waits in eager expectation for the sons of God to be revealed.” – Romans 8:17-18
Oh, and when you got ready this morning, I hope you didn’t forget something. You’re never fully dressed without a smile 
Doing Good
Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
- 1 Corinthains 13:7
Something that is becoming more and more clear to me is this: Love hangs on. It perseveres and continues. It never gives up.
The reason love doesn’t give up is because it is connected to hope. The hope is that God knows us, cares for us, and will see us through.
Keep doing right, even when it hurts. So many people give up just before their breakthrough. When in the furnace of affliction, hang on. Today may be hard, but another day is coming.
There is a time when every last tear will be wiped away and we will once again be with Him. We groan and pant for you Lord God. Help us to stay faithful to you through the good and the bad. Help us to hang on.
Holding Tight
I remember speaking with my father three or four months ago and I remember him saying, “I never knew life would be so hard”. That really struck me. We are all so fragile. When I was young, I was very optimistic about life and how great it would be. I was going to play for the Celtics, marry the woman of my dreams, and do great things for God in the process of changing the world. As I grow older, I find life just plain hard. There is joy, but a lot of loss, sadness and pain needs to be fought through to find it.
“Remember your Creator in the days of your youth, before the days of trouble come and the years approach when you will say, ’I find no pleasure in them’… Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.” (Ecclesiastes 12: 2, 13-14).
As I look back at the last 8 years of my life, they’ve each been incredibly challenging in their own way. There’s been a lot of good times, but each year has seemed to be full of trials and obstacles. I feel like I’m overdue for an easy year. It’s difficult not knowing what is in store for the future. Each year seems to bring more duties and responsibilities, more sorrows, and less pleasure. Life could get dramatically easier, dramatically harder, or stay pretty much the same. The Father holds tomorrow in His hands.
Have faith like a child. Fear God and keep his commandments. Trust and obey, for there’s no other way, to be happy in Jesus, than to trust and obey. Dear God, help me to trust in your sovereignty and love for me, help me to fear you and keep your commandments, and help me to find joy in the midst of the hardness of life.
