by Naomi Moon

Looking Forward

You can listen to today’s devotion by clicking this SoundCloud link.

“Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. To him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen.”
1 Peter 5:9-11 English Standard Version

Sometimes it may feel that the struggle never ends.There is suffering in the world, in our relationships, and through the decay of our own bodies. It can sometimes be difficult to see where we are headed, if the suffering is ever worth it. Peter is writing to Christians who felt this same way. What are we looking forward to? 

This is one reason I love my thanksgiving cactus. Year round, it is a prickly cactus that is pretty average looking. And then the weather starts to get cold. It’s dark and chilly outside, and it feels like there’s nothing to look forward to. That is when this cactus blooms. When everything is bleak, this cactus puts forth its beautiful blooms. 

At Thanksgiving, it can be hard to remember what we are thankful for in the midst of our suffering. But like Peter tells the people, the God of all grace has called you into glory in Christ. Christ himself will restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. Everything will be restored rightly, and that is what we can look forward to. That is what we are thankful for, in the midst of the suffering.

Copyright Family of Christ Lutheran Church, Colorado Springs, Colorado