I think one of the greatest misconceptions of following Jesus is the idea that if you do, everything you've ever wanted will come just as you want it to each day.

Hmmm...I don't believe that's what is promised (read Jesus' life)...but it is what we want, so...why doesn't it happen that way?  Doesn't God want us to be happy?

I think more people have gotten frustrated and "walked" on their path with God for this reason than any other.  I like what one author said about this tendency when he expressed (I paraphrase) "it isn't so much that the Christian faith has been tried and found wanting, but that it has been found difficult and so given up."

Today's scripture readings weave these thought patterns through Jesus' teachings, the chronicles of Acts, the histories in Genesis and in the emotions of Psalms.

Jesus intones in His great message delivered on the mount beside the Sea of Galilee that we will be most tested when life gives us gravel instead of grain (and it will tend to do so).  As you read Matthew 5:21-48, realize that Jesus is expecting mistreatment and poor relationships for His followers.  Ouch.  Does that mean we should keep looking for a better way of life?  No.  It means that God is not surprised when people around you show their true character.  When that happens, He wants you to show yours and He wants what shows to be His - not theirs.  His kingdom operates by His commands and takes no cues for behavior from people.

He allows us to live in a world that needs His kingdom ways desperately and He wants them to be shown through us.  We will show our character and whether it is His or not when we are most frustrated or angered (yes, angered, emotions happen in Christians, too) or wronged (and we will be - welcome to the world, my friend, you don't get a pass).  What happens in you and me determines what takes place around me - and not just for today.

So, Jesus wants us to "let your enemies bring out the best in you, not the worst...for then you are working out of your true selves, your God-created selves" (:45-46 Message).  That's not easy.  Never has been.  But, isn't it what we really need to learn how to do?  And, isn't it what the world around us really needs?

I need a mind and emotions that aren't determined by the events or people around me - that sounds to me like peace.  ("Not as the world gives", Jesus describes it.)

Stephen and Philip do that in Acts and God does mighty things through them.  Jacob finds it to be the better way, especially in his relationship with his brother.  The Psalmist affirms that it is "God" who "turns life around" (14:7b Message). 

So, I don't get a pass.  And, as I try to move toward becoming the person God wants and those around me need, I don't think I want one.  I think I want to pass through these things I don't always want in order to become what God (and I) want - inside and forever.

I hope you do, too.  Here's the hope point - He is with us always - don't get so frustrated that you forgrt that.  If it comes to it, He can carry us.  For some reason, when we are in our most difficult moments, He has determined that there is "enough" in what He has placed in me (His Spirit and His presence with me) to walk here and grow stronger.  Pass through, my friend - we're going to be together forever on the other side of these things - our greatest stories will be when we find (as Jacob did) that "God was in this place, and I didn"t even know it."(28:16) and we can say we also have "wrestled with God and come through" (32:28).

I pray for the kind of life that so refuses to give up that I am willing even to "wrestle with God" when I'm feeling like I'm just fighting to survive and upon reaching the light of day am able to affirm seeing God (and His character) face-to-face in the dark behind me, as well as look forward to life before me.

JKM