Ups and Downs v. Constancy

Church work is always a matter of emotional ups and downs.  You see a person come to Christ, and you are on an emotional high… excited to see God at work in people’s lives.  Then you turn around and find out that a church member has a teenager who has turned their back on God, family, and everything else, and you are brought low as you hurt for and with this family that is going through a trial. 

But, you know, in both of those situations, you can find God at work.  Whether it’s a problem or a victory, if you look for it, you’ll see God’s hand and heart moving us closer to Him.  It just depends upon your perspective. 

In my brief 12 years of being in the ministry, God has reminded me time and time again to take note of where I’m focusing.  It’s so easy when you come into contact with so many people who are going through such varied life experiences to feel like you’re on a roller coaster of ups and downs.  But here’s what I always come back to:  am I looking to Him?—the author and perfecter (Hebrews 12:2) or am I looking around me?—driven and tossed by the wind. (James 1:5-8) 

Perspective changes everything. 

You can always find two truths. 
1.  Change is inevitable. (Ecclesiastes 3:1)  2. God is constant.  (Hebrews  13:8)  

There are going to be ups and downs.  It’s just a part of life.  There are going to be good times and bad times.  There are going to be times of growth and times of pruning. 

If you focus on the change or the ups and downs in your life or in the lives of those around you, you’re looking at things from the wrong perspective.  If you focus on the constancy of God,… 

Well, that’s just what you’ve got to do!

Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we're in. Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed - that exhilarating finish in and with God - he could put up with anything along the way: cross, shame, whatever. And now he's there, in the place of honor, right alongside God.  Hebrews 12:2 THE MESSAGE.