Is it possible to begin...
Illustration
Is it possible to begin with sufferings --plural --and end in hope? For many of us, the reverse would be true. We start out with great hope and wind up suffering or suffering disappointment. Yet the reading of biographies assures us that we can begin when things are bad and progress. Surely the background for this was Jesus' joy even in his suffering on the cross.
Would it be wrong to say that we see more trouble than hope? Or is it that we do not have the right perspective? Count von Zinzendorf had a great faith. He needed it. On June 14, 1736, he found himself in exile from Saxony because of his faith. Rather than feeling sorry for himself, he, finding himself among poor and uneducated people, set up schools, gave food and clothing and shared his faith in Wetteravia.
On June 14, 1775, the Army was founded with the authorized recruiting of 10 companies of riflemen for one year. They knew there would be suffering during the Revolutionary War and freedom, a hope, became reality. June 14, 1777, the Continental Congress authorized the Stars and Stripes as our flag.
June 14, 1940, was a sad day for Paris as the Germans occupied Paris. There was suffering, yet there was hope, and freedom came after years of being subject peoples.
How would you have answered yesterday the question, "Can you begin with sufferings and end with hope?" If your answer today is "Yes," know that it is "because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit which has been given to us (v. 5)."
--Richardson
Would it be wrong to say that we see more trouble than hope? Or is it that we do not have the right perspective? Count von Zinzendorf had a great faith. He needed it. On June 14, 1736, he found himself in exile from Saxony because of his faith. Rather than feeling sorry for himself, he, finding himself among poor and uneducated people, set up schools, gave food and clothing and shared his faith in Wetteravia.
On June 14, 1775, the Army was founded with the authorized recruiting of 10 companies of riflemen for one year. They knew there would be suffering during the Revolutionary War and freedom, a hope, became reality. June 14, 1777, the Continental Congress authorized the Stars and Stripes as our flag.
June 14, 1940, was a sad day for Paris as the Germans occupied Paris. There was suffering, yet there was hope, and freedom came after years of being subject peoples.
How would you have answered yesterday the question, "Can you begin with sufferings and end with hope?" If your answer today is "Yes," know that it is "because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit which has been given to us (v. 5)."
--Richardson
