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Good Shepherd Lutheran Church Today's Frontline Devotion February 22, 2008 “When the struggle begins, will I carry on?” |
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Frontline Devotion for Friday, February 22, 2008 by Mike
Martine
Reprinted from March 20, 2004
It’s a question that every one of us has had to answer in life. A question we have all encountered. In fact, to accomplish any great thing, it is a question we must answer “Yes.” For to answer “no” means resignation and failure.
“When the struggle begins, will I carry on?” Any athlete striving to make it to the next level and become a champion must answer this question. The artist searching for the voice and vision that will make their work truly remarkable must answer it. It must be answered by any of us who endeavor to lose weight, quit smoking, treat people better, even give up something for Lent. “When the struggle begins, will I carry on?”
The third station of the cross describes Jesus falling for the first time. It is a fall that signals that he will fall again in the struggle to even carry his cross to the place where he will be crucified. But this struggle, like most struggles we encounter, is as mental as it is physical. A struggle that began with his ordeal in the desert.
In the desert, Jesus was offered a key by the devil. A key that would free him from the path he would walk that led to the cross. With his power and charisma, Jesus could have easily chosen ways around the cross. He could have retreated from the world entirely - a man capable of making food out of thin air did not need society to survive. He could have made himself wildly popular - a magician and healer playing to the crowds and, eventually, to the greatest leaders of the time. He could have even used his abilities to overthrow the political structure that was now engineering his death. Any of these could have been the key that would provide the release from the pain, torment and death of the tree. And the devil, as the devil is wont to do, plays with Jesus’ head in an attempt to get him to choose the easy way out.
But instead, Jesus chooses the struggle. He chose it in the desert, and continually chose it right up until the moment of his death. He refused to use his abilities to lessen the pain or provide escape. He met the struggle head on, and continued until the bitter end. For he knew that our lives hung in the balance. That only by emerging victorious from the struggle could we have new life.
We don’t much care for struggle in our society. We find all kinds of ways to avoid it. And yet, without struggle it is nearly impossible to build strength and character in any individual. And without individuals of strength and character, our society, our church, and even our world cannot hope to survive.
We must, if we wish to be true followers of our Lord, join the struggle. Specifically, we need to join him in the struggle to live out the gospel—even when doing so brings negative ramifications to our lives.
But as part of this, we must meet all of the struggles of our life hand in hand with Jesus. Whether it is our attempt to quit smoking, do a better job as a parent, or perform better at work. Part of living out the gospel is recognizing that the Lord is part of all of our life. Part of living out the gospel is actively seeking the help of Christ in all our struggles.
One of the greatest gifts we receive in Christ is a partner in the struggle. A Lord and Savior who has been there, knows how it is to be human, and who actively wants to help us survive and succeed - even if we don’t emerge from every struggle victorious.
“When the struggle begins, will you continue?” When you encounter your struggles and feel yourself falling, remember, reach for the hand of God before you give up, and help will be there. AMEN.
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All are welcome to join and share in our Devotional Ministry on the "Frontlines" of the world. Frontline Devotions are sent via email daily. Sign up by clicking on the box to the left. Pastor Dave welcomes feedback. Contact him at pastordave@goodshepherdonline.org. |
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