Delayed Satisfaction

The foundation upon which followers of Christ stand is faith. Salvation is given to us by the grace of God, but it is accepted through our faith. Without faith, we will remain wandering in the wilderness, hopeless and destined for the grave. It’s only when we choose to believe in what cannot be seen, when we believe in what the world works so hard to disprove that we are saved. Salvation was given to us because we ignored the world and had faith in the grace and mercy of God. Though it took only a moment for our faith to save us, faith remains an essential tool for navigating us through countless other moments of difficulty and strife along the way.

Faith is essential to our journey through this life, but it isn’t stagnant or unchanging. Faith works like a muscle that must be exercised and stretched. With the proper nourishment and exercise, our faith will grow bigger, stronger, and healthier, but without the proper nourishment and exercise, our faith becomes weak and withers. Just like when we exercise, the strength of our faith only grows when it’s tested and pushed past its limits.

Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you fail to meet the test!- 2 Corinthians 13:5

In his second letter to the church in Corinth, the Apostle Paul exhorts the Corinthians to examine themselves to be sure they are still in the faith. We, like the Corinthians, must do the same. There are times when we feel like we’re on top of the world and nothing can go wrong, while there are so many other times when everything is going wrong, and it feels like our world is coming to an end. Faithful believers should worry more about the good times because those are the times in our lives when our faith grows weakest. When everything is going our way, it’s easier to forget the One who provides and takes care of us. In the darkest moments, when we’re down and out, and when we're broken and bleeding, we have no choice but to look up and remember who cares for us.

Often, the way of the spirit and the path toward holiness works the opposite of what we expect. The wisdom of God runs counterintuitive to the wisdom of the world. In Christ, weakness is strength, and strength is weakness. Those who are first must first be last. Those who mourn and cry are those who are blessed. Blessed are those who are persecuted. Blessed are those the world rejects. The mightiest warrior for the army of Christ is the man or woman who drops their weapons, turns the other cheek, and prays for their enemies. This is the wisdom of God. Jesus came to the world not as a mighty military leader to overthrow the oppressors but as a humble peasant to be beaten and executed. This, too, is how our faith works. It is strongest when it's being beaten and battered. It is strongest when it is most needed.

When our bellies are full, and our sleep is restful and safe, our sinful eyes drop their Heavenward gaze and fall to the pleasures in front of us. Nothing can be more perilous to our faith than an overflowing bank account. Security in the world creates spiritual danger. Comfort and ease create laziness. A muscle that isn’t tested and bruised atrophies. Each of us should pray not to be released from the problems of the world but to be thrown into them. We should pray that our faith be tested and that we are granted wisdom to guide us because those who were pushed through the most rigorous tests and held tight to the faith will see the greatest reward in Heaven.

The wisdom of God is counterintuitive to the world because God is above the world. His plans are set in Heaven, not on Earth. Our lives are meant for the world to come. Our joys and peace are a delayed satisfaction, but there can never be a greater joy and peace than what awaits us. Jesus said, “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.” Those of us who hurt the most will find the most comfort. Heaven is for those who wait. Heaven is for those who have been tested. Heaven is for those who stood the test of time and persevered.

Heaven is for you. Stand firm and unwavering.

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.- 2 Corinthians 9:12

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.- Matthew 5:3-4

Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.- James 1:2-3

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