It's hard, but Good!

It’s really hard, but really really good!

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ!  In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil, or fade- kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.  In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials.  These have come so that your faith- of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire- may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.  Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.”  1 Peter 1:3-9

“And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great patience and endurance, and joyfully giving thanks to the Father.” Colossians 1:10-12

“Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.  Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete not lacking anything.” James 1:2-3

Haiti is hard, but God is good.  I have been missing my family, friends, home, and comforts.  I will not be fully satisfied or ever feel at home until I am with my Creator.  As for now I take in and absorb all of the glimpses of Him that He is willing to shower over me.  It is easy here to get worn out and sad, EXTREMELY EASY—but I choose not to because the only life that matters is eternity and through God’s strength and the power of the Holy Spirit in me and the blood of the Lamb shed for me, I can joyfully give thanks to the Father that I have been brought out of darkness and into His marvelous light.  I had to do nothing to receive eternal life except say yes to Jesus and run after Him every second!

I have been focusing on all of this and praying through it and about it for a couple weeks now—God gave me a perfect picture of what I was going through in the sky the other night.  I was sitting on the balcony and to the left of me was a beautiful blue sky with the sun setting, it almost looked perfect, to the right of me was a dark storm, but right in the middle between the beautiful sky and dark storm was a rainbow—a promise of God’s covenant between us.  I could live that comfortable, perfect life.  I could focus on all the darkness and poverty and hurt in this world (Haiti).  BUT I LIVE FOR JESUS. I FOCUS ON HIM.  Who tells me that yes times are hard, but guess what?! I HAVE OVERCOME THE WORLD. I HAVE TAKEN YOU OUT OF DARKNESS.  I AM YOUR STRENGTH. I WILL GET YOU THROUGH THIS, JUST ABIDE IN ME. One day we will be together in paradise—where everything is perfect and holy- because He is perfect and holy.  

John 16:33; 1 Peter 2:9; Psalm 118; Isaiah 40; Luke 23:43