two very important things on a long, hard road

Today's readings: Ezekiel 14:12-16:41, Hebrews 7:18-28, Psalm 106:1-12, Proverbs 27:4-6

In the Psalms today, we read about God's faithful love, which endures forever. And we read about our sinfulness. We are selfish, silly, stupid little creatures sometimes. We have moments of greatness. But we can usually be counted on to mess up, at least from time to time. Or is that just me?

Well, two things I've learned along this road, and they came back to mind tonight when I was talking to a good friend about the long, hard road that he's traveling right now. He is in love with someone who is struggling herself, right now. They're both trying to make it work, but in love and in life, sometimes that's easier said than done. And she's making some pretty big mistakes along the way. But he keeps telling me (and he means it) that as long as she does two things, it will work out. As long as she doesn't give up, and as long as she keeps talking to him, he can make it through whatever else happens.

That's true with us and God, too. Many of us are on long, hard roads. Some of us are dealing with broken marriages. Some are dealing with broken bodies. Some are dealing with things too personal to even tell their friends about - shame or regret or disappointment with life itself.

But God is there for us. He's encouraging us to keep going. To put one foot in front of another, breathe in and out, and keep going. We'll make it, as long as we do two things: don't give up, and keep talking to Him. Everything else can be forgiven and fixed. But don't give up, and don't run away and hide from Him.

There is joy ahead, for all of us. For most of us, that joy will come sooner rather than later. He has surprises ahead for you that you can't even imagine. For some of us, that joy will come in His presence when we go to be with Him. But for ALL of us, there is joy ahead.

We just have to keep going. And keep talking to Him. Everything else can be fixed.

Thank You, God, for Your forgiveness, which is new every morning. Thank You for the joy ahead. And thank You for the reminder that as long as we keep going and keep talking to You, You'll work it all out.