Plodding from day to day when things get hard

We've all gone through days when things are hard. The destination seems further away than ever.  Sometimes the same routines sap our energy. Other times, all the pleasure fades away, disappearing as harsh words take away our joy. Financial pressures can creep up and suddenly overwhelm us. 

For many of my friends, heading into the fall season is hard. Memories come of what it was like last year when we could meet together, grab a cup of coffee, and sit together on a bench for an hour. School is back, but this promises to be a hard year for students, and even harder for teachers. 

University students don't know how their year is going to shape up. For international students, there's a great unknown: will they be permitted to stay in the dorms, or will circumstances force them back home?

I've been talking with a number of pastors in the last few days. The way some are viewing the next four months is expressed in words of uncertainty. Some have difficulty knowing how to recruit volunteers for church activities. Others find it discouraging that young families are staying at home, hardly able to give time as ushers or music leaders. Some have conflicts at home because every room is occupied by one of the kids doing homework, and there's no place to have a still, quiet conversation with the Lord. 

These are days when we may need to keep on plodding along. Faithful is He who called us. His name will be glorified. God is sovereign and he has not left us without the Comforter. Moses had to keep plodding for 40 years with a rebellious people, but he finally brought them to their destination. David fled from one place in the desert to another before kingship arrived. Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and many prophets kept on keeping on. 

Let us remember that whatever comes our way the Lord is fulfilling his purposes in our lives. He has given us his presence. We have many around us who can speak words of wisdom. And in all things, we will make the choice to rejoice in Him.