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Recently I wrote about the challenges of weakness. I observed what both Paul and I had discovered. No matter how weak we are, God is always strong.
And God is always strong in us.
Paul said,
“Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving The Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.”
Romans 12:11-12
It may be easy to keep up the spiritual fervor when things are going well. But when they are not, it is a different ballgame.
Our spiritual zeal … fervor … should not be linked to our circumstances and yet it often is.
How do we unlink our spiritual fervor from what we think is the real world and especially when we think that real world sucks?
What should our spiritual fervor be linked to?
Paul answered that. He says we start with Hope and we are joyful in that Hope.
What are we hoping for? Aw-w-w, there is the cross road.
Are you hoping your circumstances will change so you can enjoy life more? Or are you hoping you will understand what God wants you to do in your present circumstances to bring more people into the kingdom?
If the thought of God using you in whatever way for His Glory is your hope, then you can feel real joy.
You can be joyful in Hope!
And if you have that kind of Joy, it will help you through the next step in Paul’s Plan. You will be more likely to be patient in affliction, knowing God has a Good Plan.
To know, step by step, what that Plan is, you will have to stay in constant contact with God, Who alone knows The Plan.
Be faithful in prayer.
So there you have it in a nutshell. Let’s hear Paul’s words again.
“Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving The Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.”
Romans 12:11-12
How did Paul do following that Plan? This is what he said.
“I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation … I can do all this through Him Who gives me strength!”
Philippians 4:12-13
