If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.
–James 4:15 (NIV)–

Are you down in the dumps right now, because your circumstances have changed? You didn’t want things to go the way they have, but they did go that way. And now you’re thinking, How in the world am I going to get out of this? Every great artist, every great inventor, every great innovator, always has their greatest breakthrough when they’re at their lowest point. You know that? There are many examples of this, too many examples to count. If you look into their lives, their biographies, you’ll find that it’s in the crucible, the hardest spot. John Bunyan, when he was in Bedford Prison, he was writing, separated from his wife and kids, but writing and eventually has prophetic dreams and writes Pilgrim’s Progress, which has lasted about 350 years as a devotional classic, probably saving untold numbers of souls from eternal damnation. Martin Luther finally got the Bible translated for regular non-clergy people to read for the first time in over a thousand years, but he was in hiding, on lockdown, and often harassed by evil spirits.

There’s lots of things like that in history; and probably in your own personal history. Your greatest accomplishments, if you have any, were likely born out of the fire of adversity and affliction: it’s at those moments, those low points, that you start thinking, and developing perspectives, that you never would’ve, if your situation had remained the same all the time. High quality songs, books, and films often come out of the heart of the distressed artist. And even with all of this: earth is just a temporary pilgrimage. From Point A to Point B. You’re either on your way to Hell or you’re on your way to Heaven. You’re either with Jesus or you’re not! Think about this next time you have adversity in any of the following areas: finances, family, friends, physical and mental health. If things are going bad in any of these areas, or some other category, think about this. All suffering is temporary so long as you’re walking with Jesus. You have more than the whole world! Because Jesus Christ abides in you! Do you spend time in communion with God? You’ll know his indwelling more if you do. Communion with God the Holy Spirit, the triune God. So now you’re understanding that the Christian’s life is just a journey, a going from Point A to Point B. Hopefully you’re on your way to Heaven with Jesus. If you’re a parent I hope you’re teaching the Bible and catechism to all your kids. This is why we’re here. Hopefully you’re on your way to Heaven, getting ready to live in the city where Jesus is king. Walking now with his Holy Spirit and his holy angels. Hopefully, you have the proper perspective about everything that’s going on around you. Hopefully you understand that the devil and his angels are after you as well, to try to attack you at different periods, especially at your low points.

With the stalwart military heart of a strong soldier in the thick of battle, you press and push forward, you press onward. You don’t give up! You keep on pushing, you overcome temptation! You put all those things behind you, and walk on a trail covered with the blood of God’s Son. You bathe yourself with the blood of Jesus by faith and walk around with your sins forgiven. You’re washed in the blood of Jesus. You’re clean now! Keep on going towards Heaven, keep on RUNNING, sprinting towards Heaven, jogging, taking breaks and picking up where you left off, and running, running, running towards Heaven! The years creep on, the decades pass. You get weaker, you feel sorrow. You get discouraged at times, but only considering these things temporary, to the point of losing your breath in a run, and so you get up and you keep on running some more. Finally, as you reach the point where you might think, This is something that I’ve wanted to do all my life. Consider this. If according to James 4:15, whether you really need to feel this out, if God wills for you to do this or that, or this or that. Don’t fall into the trap of being misguided by self-will. Got some personal ambitions and goals? Well, just try to make sure that everything you do is in obedience to God and his clarion call.