Keep On keeping On…

Ecclesiastes 3:1, “There is an appointed time for everything. And there is a time for every event under heaven”.

Are we there yet? ​​ Is it time yet? ​​ We have all heard this, thought this, or said these words. ​​ It is a mark of​​ impatience. We can easily become restless and even irritated when things do not happen according to our expectations.

 The answer to the above questions is​​ ‘almost’​​ or ‘hang on just a bit longer’. ​​ ‘We will be there soon’. ​​ ‘Be patient’. ​​ Easier said than done! ​​ 

 God is at work​​ even though we may not see the results. ​​ Everything is going exactly according to His plan. ​​ Read Solomon’s words in Ecclesiastes 3:1, “There is an appointed time for everything. ​​ And there is a time for every event under heaven”.

 God has appointed seasons of events just as He has appointed changes in weather. ​​ He has purposed all things to happen at a specific time. ​​ Yesterday, today, and tomorrow are in God’s control. ​​ If you are a child of God, having accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior,​​ no worries,​​ He has you under His hand of care. ​​ All things pleasant and difficult will be used for your good and His glory. ​​ 

 The opposite of impatience​​ is patience. ​​ This is not only tolerating delayed change but accepting it with​​ a cheerful heart attitude. ​​ A word we seldom use is longanimous. ​​ It means showing patience and self-control under adversity, being slow to retaliate or express resentment.

 Psalm​​ 27:14​​ says, “Wait for the LORD; Be strong, and let your heart take courage; Yes, wait for the LORD”. ​​​​ And​​ Romans​​ 8:25​​ says,​​ “But if we hope for what we do not see, with perseverance we wait eagerly for it”.

Take a moment, look around you, listen to conversations. ​​ How are we doing during this pandemic? ​​ As a whole, not so good. ​​ But what about you personally, how are you responding to this lengthy​​ time of inconvenience, unknowns,​​ imposed​​ constraints? ​​​​ I pray you are persevering in hope and​​ patience​​ with your eyes fastened on God. ​​ How can you encourage those who are in despair? ​​ Share God’s promises, speak the​​ Truth.​​ 

 We are right where we should be at this given moment.  ​​​​ Patience and compassion​​ are responses you can choose. ​​ Patience​​ because​​ God has the answers and​​ remains in control. ​​ Compassion for those who are struggling. ​​ Consider,​​ because of God’s grace you are able to have peace and joy​​ no matter the outcome. ​​ Those whose hearts are set on the world are​​ noticeably scared, upset,​​ and​​ have lost direction. ​​ Be thankful​​ for​​ the opportunities placed before you​​ to share the ultimate gift of love. ​​ Be a​​ light​​ in the darkness. ​​ 

 Paul’s words​​ to the Philippians​​ ​​ reminds us how we are to act, “Do all things without grumbling or disputing; that you may prove yourselves to be​​ blameless and innocent, children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you appear as lights in the world,​​ holding fast the word of life”. (Php 2:​​ 14-16a)

The specific time we are living in has been appointed by God​​ for His purpose. ​​ Let us be strong, take courage,​​ and​​ have​​ patience, acting in a manner that honors God. ​​​​ I pray your heart is exceedingly joy filled as you look forward to your future.​​ ​​ I can think of no better season than the​​ one we are in right now as we prepare to celebrate​​ God’s love through the gift of His Son. ​​ There is hope.

Author: Sharyn Balogh

You know it's difficult to write about yourself. The most important fact I can disclose is that I'm saved by God's grace through faith in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. My desire is to live a life honoring to God in response for the gift of salvation I've been given. This is so much easier said than done! I struggle daily with right choices, right words, right thoughts, and right actions. My best and only defense against sin is the power of God in me and for that I am inexpressibly thankful. I have three amazing grown-up children who have responded to God's call in their lives along with their spouses. One of the great joys of my life is knowing my children and their families strive to serve and follow God. My grandchildren are another wonderful joy in my life! My husband and I are blessed with four beautiful grandchildren to date with another expected very soon on September 12th. We also are thankful for the comforting knowledge that an additional three of our grandchildren, a set of twins at three months gestation and a little boy, Isaac, at four and a half months gestation, are in our Savior's presence. I have attended the same church since the day my eyes were opened to Truth over thirty years ago. How fortunate it is to have been led by God’s hand immediately to a church body that follows the Bible, no man-made doctrines, just the Word clear and strong. My husband is my best friend, my confidant, my encourager, and I still can't believe how blessed I am by his example of love and generosity towards everyone around him. He is God-fearing, compassionate, and kind and I have learned so much from him. I am a daughter to my almost 92 year-old mother, sister to three brothers, a wife, mother, mother-in-law, grandmother, aunt, great-aunt, neighbor and friend. That means, whomever is reading this, we probably have something in common! I love every unique role I have been placed in. I'm frequently stretched and sometimes feel like silly putty that wants to bounce right back into my comfort zone. My greatest ambition is to be a follower of Jesus; a light that shines for Him at all times, in all circumstances. So, there it is, a bit about me. I guess I was able to write about myself after all! However, my existence cannot be defined without Jesus Christ, my Lord and my Savior. His love has permeated my life to His glory and my eternal thankfulness.