John 16:12-23 | 2 Corinthians 4:6-12
A lot of Christians tend to think that if they do everything rightly, things will go well for them. This is not true. Jesus certainly never said it.
He does say that things will be right in the end, but he never promises a wholly safe journey. He’s actually quite clear in his warning that difficulty is a part of the path leading on his way.
This is not to say that blessings are not available all along the way. Or that he doesn’t share the load or burden, leaving us totally alone. His presence is always available. His love and support is ever at hand, even though it will at times feel lonely. But blessing is always available. If it doesn’t feel as such, we might take note at how we define blessing.
John 16:12-23
“I have much more to say to you, but you can’t handle it now. However, when the Spirit of Truth comes, he will guide you in all truth. He won’t speak on his own, but will say whatever he hears and will proclaim to you what is to come. He will glorify me, because he will take what is mine and proclaim it to you. Everything that the Father has is mine. That’s why I said that the Spirit takes what is mine and will proclaim it to you. Soon you won’t be able to see me; soon after that, you will see me.”
Some of Jesus’ disciples said to each other, “What does he mean: ‘Soon you won’t see me, and soon after that you will see me’ and ‘Because I’m going to the Father’? What does he mean by ‘soon’? We don’t understand what he’s talking about.”
Jesus knew they wanted to ask him, so he said, “Are you trying to find out from each other what I meant when I said, ‘Soon you won’t see me, and soon after that you will see me’? I assure you that you will cry and lament, and the world will be happy. You will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will turn into joy. When a woman gives birth, she has pain because her time has come. But when the child is born, she no longer remembers her distress because of her joy that a child has been born into the world. In the same way, you have sorrow now; but I will see you again, and you will be overjoyed. No one takes away your joy. In that day, you won’t ask me anything. I assure you that the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name.
2 Corinthians 4:6-12
God said that light should shine out of the darkness. He is the same one who shone in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory in the face of Jesus Christ.
But we have this treasure in clay pots so that the awesome power belongs to God and doesn’t come from us. We are experiencing all kinds of trouble, but we aren’t crushed. We are confused, but we aren’t depressed. We are harassed, but we aren’t abandoned. We are knocked down, but we aren’t knocked out.
We always carry Jesus’ death around in our bodies so that Jesus’ life can also be seen in our bodies. We who are alive are always being handed over to death for Jesus’ sake so that Jesus’ life can also be seen in our bodies that are dying. So death is at work in us, but life is at work in you.
Prayer
God,
Thank you for always being with me, even when I’m not feeling it. Especially when I’m not feeling it. “It” is your presence - I’m not always feeling your presence. I’m just being honest.
But I do choose to believe. I know you’re with me and I think I often don’t feel your presence because I’m conflating my desires with your will. Help me to better know your will, your good and pleasing will. Mine’s kind of misplaced sometimes.
I give you this day and all that will come. Move me to it all in your power, wisdom, and love.
By your spirit & in Christ,
Amen.