The Struggle Is Real
by Gina Ellis
Monday - 1.18.21
It was 1970 something.
At the age of 6, I did not know what it meant, this desire inside of me to be seen, to belong, to believe in the greatness of love. It was always there but it became a great tug of war inside my little body every time I sat in their presence. The new neighbors had what I wanted. From the parents to their small children, only 5 and 2 years of age at the time. I wanted what was behind those patient smiles, the bounce in their step and light in their eyes as they talked and sang about a man named Jesus.
Their kindness was a mystery to me, their continued friendship when my mother would scoff and talk down to them like she knew more than they did about life. My embarrassment of my mother and confusion over their coffee date friendship grew but not so much that I could ignore the burning in my spirit to know more, to answer the knocking on my little heart’s door.
Often, I wonder what it was like to live in what we refer to as bible times.
When hearts burned for a hope that they struggled to trust was true. A hope that there is more to the story that has not yet been revealed. Waiting on the prophecies of old to come to pass, they allowed men to make more of the mystery that was not yet revealed, they added to the plan. Rules, judgments, lines were drawn in the sand and stones in their hands. (Or was it just January of 2021.)
Even though generations of believers had heard the prophecies of Isaiah 49:6 reveal that salvation and eternity are for all people, Jews and Gentiles alike, doubt overruled hope as God’s plan was ridiculed in bible times and also echoed in a 1970 something little girl’s ears, “If He was the Son of God, why did He die? Where is your God now? You are abandoned by God.”
After the death and resurrection of Jesus, Paul and Barnabas are traveling and teaching in Antioch. Empowered by the Holy Spirit, they reveal God’s plan of salvation is for both Jew and Gentile (Acts 13:47-52) The Gentiles were filled with joy and the Holy Spirit! Yet jealousy in the hearts of highly appointed Jewish leaders caused strife in the community.
Do you feel it in your spirit, that struggle between faith and logic? Paul’s words to the Colossians are just as strong. He is walking out his calling to share the mysteries that have been revealed, he is being beaten, run out of town, imprisoned and he is saying “The Struggle is Real” but so is our God!
Thanks to that kind family in 1973, the now 7-year-old girl was finally allowed to go to church and on the second visit accepted Jesus as her Lord and Savior. I am eternally grateful for their patient persistence in sharing the mystery of Christ with my family. And in 1995, over 20 years later, I returned to my small town where I was invited to church as an adult. God called several women to minister to my every question and doubt. Together, they struggled with me through revelation of the mysteries of Christ. Some nights they would stay with me for hours, seeking answers revealed by the Holy Spirit in the hidden treasures in God’s Word. This was the type of struggling I believe Paul was speaking of in Colossians 2:2-5
Here is the Mystery of Christ, Love. Sin separates us, Love redeems us. Love dies and death steals the grave. Love is the mystery. Love creates the relationship, connecting through the gift of the Holy Spirit. Love cares deeply and follows you into the darkness to walk you out. Love gives its own life to save yours. Love speaks to your heart and spirit truth that will sustain you. Love is steady and there and waiting for the final victory. That’s right, Love wins.
Sometimes our lack of knowledge or discipline keeps us tied up in the bondage of falsehoods to distract us from experiencing community with God and others. Spending time in God’s word leads us back into a relationship with the Holy Spirit and God. Romans 8:38-39 tells us it is never too late, you are never too far, things are never too dark to reach out and grab hold of the mysterious depths of complete love found in Jesus.
It takes faith to believe in a mystery so deep and yet complete. The holy mystery of the wholeness of Jesus. The spoken Word at creation, our lamb at the cross, our intercessor between earth and the King, the gift that whispers in the recesses of our heart. Always drawing us back to God. Then God enters in, the promised gift completes the wholeness of the mystery.
Call to Action:
Pray, read, and reflect on the following scripture passages this week:
1 Timothy 2:1-5 I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them. Pray this way for kings and all who are in authority so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity. This is good and pleases God our Savior, who wants everyone to be saved and to understand the truth. For, There is one God and one Mediator who can reconcile God and humanity—the man Christ Jesus.
Philippians 1:8-10 God knows how much I love you and long for you with the tender compassion of Christ Jesus. I pray that your love will overflow more and more, and that you will keep on growing in knowledge and understanding. I want you to understand what really matters, so that you may live pure and blameless lives until the day of Christ’s return.
2 Corinthians 4:10 Through suffering, our bodies continue to share in the death of Jesus so that the life of Jesus may also be seen in our bodies.
Romans 8:38-39 And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Hebrews 12:1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us.
Reflections:
1.Think of the last time you thought about sharing the mystery and revelation of Christ. How did you decide to explain the mystery of Christ, salvation, and eternity? Did you feel a burden to “get it right”?
2. The bible can be overwhelming to both a new believer and someone that has believed a long while. When was the last time you opened up your bible to either share it with a friend or search it deeper for answers to your concerns?
3. Do you have that struggle between faith and what looks like impossible situations? What are scriptures that bring you comfort and remind you of your faith?
