Life is not lived on a level plain. Rather, it is filled with mountains and valleys, ups and downs, highs and lows, good and bad. It was certainly that way for Jesus. His parents witnessed the high moment when the wise men visited their little baby presenting him gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh to the low moment of having to flee to Egypt to prevent King Herod’s soldiers from killing Him. Jesus experienced the high moment of transfiguration on Mt. Tabor to the low of constant attacks on his authority by the religious leaders of the day. He went from the High moment of the Triumphant Entry into Jerusalem to the low moment of Judas’ betrayal. He went from the high moment of gathering his disciples together for the Last Supper to the false trials and horrible crucifixion. But in the end His victorious resurrection proved His power over sin and death. With mission accomplished He ascended into Heaven telling all believers that he was going to prepare a place for them so that they could be where he is.
Don’t think it strange or out of the ordinary when your life is filled with highs and lows. THAT’S LIFE! Jesus was clear, “In the world you will have tribulation.” We have never been promised an easy, struggle free, care free life. Life is filled with daily challenges, obstacles to overcome, problems to solve, headaches to ease. What we must realize is that there is strength in struggle. It is most often the low moments of life that mold and shape us into better individuals. Just as a little biddy has to peck its way through the egg shell to gain strength for the life it faces in the larger world, so, we too, must push, struggle and overcome the obstacles in life that would deny us a greater experience.
We must look upon our highs in life as energizing strength and reserved power to overcome our lows. We must look upon our lows as moments that test our faith, our resolve and our determination not to yield to defeat. The strength in struggle makes the victory all the more sweet. Jesus gained the victory because he was obedient to the Heavenly Father, he finished the course and he refused to give in when tempted to do so. With God’s help, we too can be victorious in our struggles. Jesus’ pledge to be with us always continues to this day and will continue until the end of time. If God is good to us in our high moments is he not also good to us in our low moments by being with us? And with Him victory is ours. There is a place awaiting our arrival in heaven that Jesus himself has prepared for all who believe in Him.
In His Love, Charles
