"You suffered along with those who were thrown into jail, and when all you owned was taken from you, you accepted it with joy. You knew there were better things waiting for you that will last forever. So do not throw away this confident trust in the Lord. Remember the great reward it brings you! Patient endurance is what you need now so that you will continue to do God's will. Then you will receive all that He has promised." (Hebrews 10:34-36 NLT)
Every once in a while, I peruse the ‘community’ tab on my YouVersion bible app. This morning, a trusted voice in my life shared Hebrews 10:35 and it shot through my soul like a lightening bolt; shocking my heart back into right rhythm.
I’ve told Rob lately, it feels like our world is getting smaller. The kids having left the house and busy about their own lives. The price of gas keeps us closer to home. Inflation limits our commitments. I expected these empty nest years to be wide open and adventurous, but we haven’t hardly begun to spread our wings. I must admit, I’ve bemoaned it a bit. My sweet husband keeps saying: “Our story isn’t finished, Anna.”
This scripture reminds me that subtraction is ok. Sacrifice honors the Lord. When we let go of things to more fully follow Him, He is blessed. Sometimes I struggle to be cooperative and to find joy in the release: expectations, familiarity, things, people and even control. This scripture reminds me that there are still better days ahead.
This text carries extra weight because of it’s presenter, too. Paul, originally, wrote these words, but today they were shared on social media by our long-time personal shepherd, the pastor who married us almost twenty-five years ago. There are a few voices in our lives that steady across the decades. These calm and patient people take the long view on life and offer it readily to the rest of us. Folks like this are gifts to the rest of us. Their words wield wisdom and peace, even in times of upheaval and unrest. I remember when the pandemic had locked the world down. Lots of pastors were spouting lots of panic, but this particular pastor remained steadfast, preaching the same patient gospel in the same caring manner he’s held to for decades. In those days of political and social turmoil, I turned to his podcast quite regularly. His words were a balm to my heart. Comforting. Familiar. Truthful. Hopeful.
Last January, Rob and I made our way to and from Missouri to speak last goodbyes over my brother. On the journey home, we stopped for brunch with our long-time shepherd and his dear wife. I recall it so clearly: they greeted us at the door and immediately enveloped us into the warmth and wisdom of their home. He was wearing a sweatshirt that announced the belief I’ve heard pour from him a hundred or more times over the years. “The best is yet to come!” Having just come from a funeral of yet another loved one, I received the message all the way to my toes.
In seasons of crisis, we can choose to listen to proven voices. Scripture is the most proven voice of all. We go with the Word instead of our feelings. We follow God instead of our gut. And God promises, the very best is still around the bend.
We all need people like this dear pastor in our lives. We require folks who faithfully dispense heavenly wisdom and eternal perspective into our daily grind. Yes, we endure subtraction while we are here on earth. Suffering and persecution are so often the means God employs to sanctify His people and craft us more into His image. We can receive these deductions and maltreatments with joy, though, recognizing our limited opportunities to produce perseverance. Such endurance is required as we crawl through the mud and grub of this world on our way to the next one. What is just beyond the finish line far surpasses anything we see here. Stay the course and believe as I do: the best it yet to come!
"Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing. If you need wisdom, ask our generous God and He will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking." (James 1:2-5 NLT)
Lord, we acknowledge the subtraction and suffering we are experiencing today. Things seem to be deteriorating, not regenerating. Yet Your Word assures us: the best is still ahead. Forgive us for receiving troubles with sorrow and complaint. Retrain us to receive hardship with joy, instead. Give us eyes to perceive and delight in the perseverance we’re growing. May we cooperate with the sanctification process, we know it is required. Tug our hearts toward heaven amidst this perfecting process. May we believe that there are still better things waiting, things that will last forever. Amen.