Life is hard, and then you die...

I was thinking, and had some random thoughts. There is a quote that my brother-in-law has on his blog by Ian Mclaren, "Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a battle." I love that, because I get so caught up in my own little world--my own problems, stuggles, pain, etc. and forget that everyone around me also is struggling with something (or many things) at that very time. We're not called to try to compare our situation with anyone elses (in fact, we're told not to!!) So it shouldn't be--well, "I'm struggling more than that person", or "they just don't understand what I'm going through." We are called to "esteem others better than ourselves" to "have compassion, and make a difference", to "Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus". Jesus didn't go around telling people how awful His life was or how horrible the things were that He was going to have to put up with.

The fact is--is that life is hard!! No one has an "easy" life. For a believer, though, we have something to look forward to!! This life is hard, yes, butthink of the life to come!! How wonderful that life will be! For the unbeliever, however, they have hardships in this life, but will not have a wonderful life to come. They have eternal torment ahead of them. So a few things--1.) Why do we (I) as believers act like we are in despair all the time, when we have so much to live for and look forward to 2.) Why do we not have an urgency to share with others the hope that we have. I'm not saying that you should never cry, never struggle, never wrestle with things or be down. I'm writing this because the Lord has used His Word to bring things back into perspective for me.

I've been skipping around in my devotions, but in the last few days, I keep being drawn back to Philippians. It's a great book to get back to a proper perspective on life. 1.) Who is Christ 2.) Who are we in Christ 3.) How should we live with that knowledge and in light of eternity?

Streams in the Desert....

A few months ago, my mom picked up the 1925 edition of the book Streams in the Desert for me. It's a very recongnizable title, but I especially appreciate the older version for the language. It has been such an encouragement to me in my many days of both enjoyment and struggle in the working world.

A thought occurred to me not too long ago, and the more I thought about it, the more I see it's true. Northland is really an artificial environment. The world is not like Northland--it's not friendly and ready to assist you in the struggles of life. Northland is an amazing place--and a great start for someone going into ministry, or someone just desiring to have a deeper walk with the Lord. It doesn't take long to get frustrated, annoyed, and just worn out working in a secular environment if you expect it to be like Northland. :)

I had the opportunity to hear Dr. Olson speak at my church this past week--he said this phrase, "Life is hard, and then you die." It sounds pessimist and harsh. However, life is hard. You know, though--I was reading a few weeks ago about heaven--if our life here on earth were perfect and painless, why would we look forward to heaven??

I'm so thankful that our Heavenly Father allows struggles in life to purify us, to grow us, and to give us a longing and desire to be with Him in a place with the absence of tears or pain.

As thankful as I am for Northland--the people, the focus, the classes, and countless other things--I'm almost completely resigned to the fact that I will not be returning there as a student. The Lord has provided, and I am able to pay off what little school bill I have remaining from last year--however I've committed to not going into debt again for school. So...either I'll go back in 3 years or so (after saving vehemently :) or I shall continue in my present course of working and saving for the future. I know God will direct, and until He leads me somewhere else, I shall endeavor to be the best bank teller I can be! :)