The Word Was Made Flesh
There is an old saying, “If life hands you lemons, make lemonade.” In other words, even the sour things in life can be made into something pleasant if we choose to add the right ingredients to the equation.
In the spiritual realm, difficult circumstances and complications often trigger challenges and trials in our Christian walk. Yet the apostle bids us, “Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory: Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls” (1 Peter 1:6-9).
While the goal of many professed Christians may simply appear to be eternal life, the true aim is actually much deeper than that. The great spiritual victory is in the possession of a Christlike character worthy of being preserved. Even if there were no eternity, it is still worthwhile to follow Christ in this temporal life. Nothing the world has to offer can match the peace, the joy, and the wonderful depth of experience that come through following in the footsteps of the Man of Calvary. The road is thorny, but the bloodstained feet of our Lord have pressed down the briars to pave our way. When circumstances arise to try our faith, the Comforter is ever present to bring assurance and cheer.
Today’s lifestyle is surely depicted with accuracy in the book of Daniel. There is no question that we are clearly living in “the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased” (Daniel 12:4). How often our plans are foiled and uprooted by rapidly changing circumstances! The Lord may have led us in a certain direction yet, through delay and inaction on our part, our dreams may have failed us. Opportunities may have been missed. So, when such a sharp curve appears in the road, it is then time to put into place “Plan B” or even “Plan C.” Whatever the case, we cannot afford the luxury of despair. We must redeem the time, for the days are evil. “Long delays tire the angels. It is even more excusable to make a wrong decision sometimes than to be continually in a wavering position, to be hesitating, sometimes inclined in one direction, then in another. More perplexity and wretchedness result from thus hesitating and doubting than from sometimes moving too hastily. . . .
“God requires promptness of action. Delays, doubtings, hesitation, and indecision frequently give the enemy every advantage. . . . Victories are frequently lost through delays. There will be crises in this cause. Prompt and decisive action at the right time will gain glorious triumphs, while delay and neglect will result in great failures and positive dishonor to God. Rapid movements at the critical moment often disarm the enemy, and he is disappointed and vanquished, for he had expected time to lay plans and work by artifice.”1
Whatever tactics the enemy of souls may attempt, whatever circumstances may occur to hinder us, we cannot lose sight of the greatest priorities - the matters that carry eternal weight. The formation of our character is at stake. How will we respond? What action will we take? And in the long run, how would we like our obituary to read? What about the headstone at our gravesite? When all is said and done and our life is over, what would others objectively identify as having been the real motto of our life? What are the angels recording? Might they sadly say that we procrastinated our most wholehearted service for Christ until after it was too late? Might they sigh that a great work could have been done if it had not been for this or that circumstance? At that point, there will be no excuses.
“Opposing circumstances should create a firm determination to overcome them. One barrier broken down will give greater ability and courage to go forward. Press in the right direction, and make a change, solidly, intelligently. Then circumstances will be your helpers and not your hindrances. Make a beginning. The oak is in the acorn.”2