II CORINTHIANS 6:4-10: “Instead, as God’s ministers, we commend ourselves in everything: by great endurance, by afflictions, by hardships, by difficulties, by beatings, by imprisonments, by riots, by labors, by sleepless nights, by times of hunger, by purity, by knowledge, by patience, by kindness, by the Holy Spirit, by sincere love, by the word of truth, by the power of God; through weapons of righteousness for the right hand and the left, through glory and dishonor, through slander and good report; regarded as deceivers, yet true; as unknown, yet recognized; as dying, yet see — we live; as being disciplined, yet not killed; as grieving, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet enriching many; as having nothing, yet possessing everything.” CSB
OBSERVATION: What is the Christian life really like? Is it a life marked by daily victory and success? Or, is it a life that is marked by suffering and sacrifice?
The Christian life is like a seesaw. It is in essence not one or the other. It is both at the same time. It is a call to the cross, and a call to the crown. It is to be seated in heavenly places, while we struggle here on earth. It is to be victorious in battle, and to be persecuted in faith. It is to be understood and misunderstood at the same time. It is to die daily, and to daily live. It is a paradox of experiences.
A seesaw has two sides. Yet it only has one fulcrum point. This fulcrum point is Jesus Christ. He is our only foundation. To experience suffering or disappointment does not nullify the fulcrum. To experience victory and success does not validate the fulcrum. The fulcrum stands on its own merit. It is the center, the foundation, the only true reality. Jesus is the rock that is higher than all that we experience!
- “God, hear my cry; pay attention to my prayer. I call to you from the ends of the earth when my heart is without strength. Lead me to a rock that is high above me, for you have been a refuge for me, a strong tower in the face of the enemy. I will dwell in your tent forever and take refuge under the shelter of your wings. Selah”. Psalms 61:1-4 CSB
Truth be told, if Paul stood up to give a testimony in many churches today, and quoted his words from II Corinthians 6:4-10, he would be rebuked for his lack of faith. There are those who are not happy unless they are talking about victory. There are those who are not happy unless they are talking about hardship. And both camps miss the boat. Why? Because, we should be talking about Jesus!
Let’s take a minute to be brutally honest. If we look over our life, if we are honest about our experiences, our testimony would be much like Paul’s. In my life I have had great victories, and I have shared great sorrow. I have walked through doors of blessing, and I have experienced closed doors of want. Yet, in all of these things I have learned that I am more than a conqueror in Christ Jesus!
Why am I more than a conqueror? The answer is simple. I never lose my fulcrum. Jesus never leaves me. If I fail, He forgives and restores me. If I am victorious, it is only because of His grace and help in time of need. He is with me each and every moment of my life. If the seesaw goes down, He is with me. If the seesaw goes up, He is with me. He is my rock, my fortress, my redeemer, and my deliverer. I have learned what the Apostle Paul proclaims,
- “But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is perfected in weakness.” Therefore, I will most gladly boast all the more about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may reside in me. So I take pleasure in weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and in difficulties, for the sake of Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 CSB
We are all on the seesaw of life. Yet, in Christ, we are assured of His grace in time of need. We are truly more than conquerors! Our life and our joy are not dependent upon our momentary circumstance. Our life and our joy are only dependent upon Jesus Christ our Lord!
Lord, I don’t know what today will hold. Yet, I know who holds me! Lord Jesus, be my rock, my fortress, and my strength today, I pray.
In Jesus Name!
