Who at times has not felt a sense of overwhelming despair in the face of circumstances for which you could not effect a change? Destiny, it seemed, had you on the railroad tracks of life going through a tunnel so dark and long that, not only could you not see the light at the end of the tunnel, it was hard to remember ever having not been in the tunnel. Maybe this describes something in your past, something you are currently experiencing, or maybe something that awaits you in the near future.
The Lord, Jesus Christ, faced just such a situation when he retreated to the garden of Gethsemane. He knew from the beginning that his destiny lay in suffering an agonizing death on the cross, and now the moment was upon him. Judas had struck a deal with the Sanhedrin and was leading a mob towards the garden. Jesus had taken Peter, James, and John with him and asked them to watch and pray with him; however, they had fallen asleep. He was seemingly all alone at his lowest hour. He knew he had the power to change the course of history in his favor. All he had to do was speak the word, and a legion of angels would come to his aid. The very words he spoke could cause men to stumble backward in amazement, Cause demons to flee, and raise the dead. But what did he do? He prayed, and submitted himself to the will of God, to the destiny of God’s words of prophecy spoken ages earlier. And in his darkest hour an angel came; but not to deliver him from his trial, to strengthen him for it. He placed his own desire for life secondary and resolved to suffer for our sins. He found new resolve and suffered every beating, every taunt, every hammer blow, and was still able to say, “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do.” And after he endured the cross, he was able to experience the joy of bringing the hope of salvation to the world.
What an example for us to follow. When you are in the wilderness of despair, it is often hard to see the forest for the trees. It is almost impossible to discern God’s purpose for the pain you feel in that moment. Many times it is only after having come through these situations that you are able to appreciate what God was doing. I recently read a statement that is so true and it goes like this: “Time and distance are sometimes the only tools that create certain perspectives in our lives.”
I encourage you to be, as Paul said in Romans 12:12, patient in tribulation. Pray and seek the Lord. Place your desires secondary to his will. Never give up hope in him. Do not lose faith. Take heart. Be courageous. Wait patiently on the Lord and he will renew your strength. You will soar like an eagle once more. Remember … sometimes time and distance …
God Bless and Have a Great Week!