I pressed on!

April 28, 2021
Midweek study with Pastor Edith

This week my husband and I celebrated 35 years of marriage and decided we needed to go out of town, but where? God provided with a phone call from a dear friend of mine who stayed in touch with me since we became friends in 1977. She and her parents invited Mark and I to drive up to their home and spend a couple of days relaxing with them. So, Monday morning we packed a few things and headed out.

For some of you, this may seem trivial, but please keep in mind that not only did the Pandemic keep us from doing these kinds of things, but illness and unexpected surgery really turned our lives upside down for more than just this past year. Needless to say, we were thankful to have the ability to visit out of town and for the good health and the kindness of our congregations to allow for us to have this time. Hence, the delay in posting this Midweek Meditation. Thank you for your patience.

2 Corinthians 4:7-8 (a portion of this past Sunday’s message text) says; “But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side but not crushed; confused, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.” (Emphasis mine).

For me, this past year and often in the past 35 years while making a home with my husband and children and now grandchildren, there have been many times in my work and vocation when I have felt hard pressed, confused, persecuted (in very minimal ways, but still felt), struck down (too many times I heard the words; “No, I won’t help you with that”), and still The Lord lifted me up and lead me to the next step. He does that for all of us, if we will listen. I wasted a lot of time not listening and just sat in my anxiety, disappointment and depressed emotions.

Our text for this meditation inspires me; “You don’t have to stay in that endless, hopeless emotional roller coaster”! Verse 7 talks about the great treasure that has been entrusted to us when we trust in Christ, even though we are weak and fragile like “jars of clay”. The treasure is the Gospel, God’s good news that Jesus Saves and it has been entrusted to us who may be feeling the effects of being hard pressed (or depressed), confused, persecuted, abandoned, or struck down.

A dear friend sent me this thought one day while battling the effects of depression; “When I change around the letters of the word DEPRESSION, I see the words; I PRESSED ON”.

I pray that you will know today how much God loves you, so much so that He desires to lift you out of any situation that threatens to keep you down.

AMEN!