What are you looking forward to in the week ahead? This question implies that there is something good you are expecting to happen, given enough time or persistence. Eventually gives the impression that something different will come about, if you just wait for it. You live in Iowa, so eventually the weather will change. Eventually the snow will melt. It can be good things, like if you put in your hours at work, eventually you will get paid or promoted. Given enough time, eventually you will heal. It can also have negative connotations…if he keeps speeding, eventually he will get caught. Living a rough life will eventually catch up to you. If he keeps spending money like that, eventually he will be broke. In the end, eventually we are all dead. You get the idea, eventually we will all have good days and bad days. Does this leave you optimistic or pessimistic when you look toward what is ahead?
Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. Hebrews 11:1
This past week, I was dealing with an issue I thought was resolved, but problems kept coming back up, because apparently the main problem was not addressed, but only the symptoms of this problem. Eventually we figured out what was going on after some other professionals were called to come back and help address this issue. It was not as bad as I was expecting, but still cost me time and money to get it figured out. This brings me back to the theme that avoiding or trying to cover up problems doesn’t make them go away, and eventually we have to deal with them. We can also keep denying that we have a problem with sin, or any number of other vices or weaknesses in our lives, and it doesn’t really solve the issue at hand. We can keep hiding them, or pretending they do not exist, but until we get them in the open and deal with them, they don’t get resolved. Given enough time, eventually the truth comes out.
I waited patiently for the Lord; he turned to me and heard my cry. Psalm 40:1
But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint. Isaiah 40:31
Eventually, when dealing with life issues, we can learn to be patient. It is not always easy for toddlers or adults when we want something right now. In our on-demand society, the practice of patience seems to be something of a rarity anymore. When we learn to put off some of the things we think we want, eventually we find out we don’t really need most of them. When we turn to the Lord in Prayer, instead of petitioning Him with what we want in our lives, maybe we should be more often asking what we need. I’d imagine He would love to share this if we are eventually willing to listen. The other thing that should eventually lead us to hope, is when we read about the glimpses of what God has planned for us, in this life and the one to come. Eventually, the pain and hardships of this life will be a thing of the past, and the new reality will be one we can all rejoice
Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” Revelation 21:1-4
Yours in Christ,
Clark
