Luke 21:16-19

"And ye shall be betrayed both by parents, and brethren, and kinsfolks, and friends; and some of you shall they cause to be put to death.
And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake.
But there shall not an hair of your head perish.
In your patience possess ye your souls."
Luke 21:16-19


This chapter talks some about the second coming, and things that will precede it.  Lots of things... and this.  I chose it today because I have had a really hard time being patient lately.  I want what I want, and I want it now... and waiting for something better seems like a pretty sick option. :)  ...So, I needed some patience today.  This isn't a very happy-happy joy-joy scripture, but it's very in-your-face with the reality of life sometimes.  This is a test, not a game of monopoly.  We aren't passing around play money.  The people we interact with... those are real people that we can help or hurt, and not just imaginary beings.  And so, yes... betrayal, death... hatred... these are all real things, and part of the test.  But on the other side... loyalty, life... love.  These are also part of the test, and really what we are here to learn, and learn well.  We get to the end of this scripture and we think... patience?  after *that* ...??? Yeah, right.  But, God is serious (as he often is, in the scriptures). :) ... We need to have patience, and a little eternal perspective.  Just because we can't see what God has promised us doesn't mean that it isn't there.  We will go through tough things in our lives... much tougher than the ones that we are faced with today.  God is preparing us for them, and will make us equal to any challenge that life presents us with.  He will protect us... even the hairs of our heads. :)  And we need to be patient, and watch out for our souls... our most precious possession.  When everything is falling apart, one thing is constant... and that is God.  If we look to him in every time of trouble, he can resolve any problem, overcome any challenge.  Today, let's look to him, and remember that the brick walls we run into from time to time are only temporary... however much they hurt when we walk into them. :)  God will show us how to take down the walls we have built, and build something better with them.