GET RID OF FALSE BELIEFS: Have you ever been startled to realize you held a false belief? When the pediatrician told me my precious daughter had Scarlet Fever , I erupted into a rapid fire accounting of all the prescribed parenting practices I followed that would preclude such a terrifying diagnosis. Terrifying? Scarlet Fever was the disease that blinded the eldest daughter in the Little House on the Prairie series we were reading aloud as a family. Now, I can laugh at myself. Then, I was quite certain the doctor could not possibly be correct. Thankfully, the dear man knew how to deal with a fearful young mom. Melody, penicillin will take care of it. Your daughter will be fine. And she was.

  • Do what you’re supposed to do, and nothing bad will happen to you or yours is the false belief his diagnosis revealed. Had you asked me, I would have told you my hope and faith were in Jesus Christ, not my efforts. I knew better! Evidently, God’s truth did not yet occupy a certain portion of my heart. Do false beliefs still lurk in you?
  • If we ignore it (physical death), it will go away is the wrong belief I encounter most frequently. Many folks do not complete or even begin the Heritage of Hope process because it means they must face their own aging process and eventual departure. Contemplating one’s physical death requires some courage, much love of those we leave behind, anticipatory grief, and faith in God’s promises to us. Sadly, avoidance exacerbates the difficulties of all involved, and it robs us of the best source of endurance for the challenges of later life—anticipating His Joy.

EMBRACE BIBLICAL TRUTH: The writer of Hebrews tells us Jesus anticipated the joy that awaited Him. Hebrews 12: 1-3. Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who FOR THE JOY that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

  • Some do joyfully anticipate good things but on a smaller, limited scale. Elaborate vacations or weddings are planned. Others eagerly await and work toward graduation, a promotion, the purchase of a home, or retirement. The problem with these lesser goals and delights is that they are subject to cancellation. Folks get sick, released on furlough, or we experience a national lock down. If we are looking unto Jesus, however, the joy remains before us even in the midst of rather large and overwhelming disappointments and setbacks.
  • A dear friend of mine responded to her own complaints and those of her children by saying, Life is hard and then you die. Was she being harsh or cruel? Actually, she spoke truth. She was teaching her children and reminding herself not to expect this life to be easy. It is our eternal life that will be wonderful, not this one.  When my friend’s life was especially hard, she would visualize herself sitting in her heavenly Father’s lap as she had been held by her earthly father. She endured loss and pain because eternal joy awaited her.

 

In the Upper Room Discourse (John 13-17), Jesus says over and over again,  I am going to the Father. He modeled the eternal perspective, the long view, and the endurance it promotes. His life was hard, and He died, yet He rose, and He ascended to sit at the right hand of the Father where he now intercedes for us. How are we to deal with disappointments, hardship, and even severe trials? We are all called to look unto Jesus just as he looked upon the Father, FOR THE JOY that was set before Him. Therein lies the secret of endurance.

Lord Jesus, please give us this long view that we may boldly and tenaciously complete the tasks necessary to finish this life well. May we live FOR THE JOY that awaits us by looking unto you this day and every day. Thank you for coming and enduring all you did that we may join you. In Your holy name we pray, Amen.