The end of the story, sort of.

On several occasions when I was young, I picked up a new book, and read the last page before beginning the first chapter. It was a dumb thing to do! Knowing the conclusion changed the way I read the whole story. Similarly, two discussion topics cause fear to rise within me: end times and death; yet, both topics also intrigue me and give me hope. I know the conclusion, and this knowledge changes me!

I believe in heaven and hell, and I believe in Christ’s second coming to earth to save His people. Neither the finality of death, nor Christ’s Kingdom on earth scares me. In fact, I long for both. My fears are rooted in what will be faced between now and then. Most people do not thrive on pain, discomfort, and persecution. I certainly do not enjoy these attributes of suffering. Pain, discomfort, and persecution are definite aspects of end times, and the first two are likely aspects of death.

As I contemplate my current state of discomfort, and recall similar seasons from the past, I recognize a common theme: I fear what may be faced between weakness and provision. I know God has led us to Idaho, yet I feel uncomfortable with the missing pieces we are facing. Not only is our Ohio house unsold, but no one is even looking at our house. Even though Steve hasn’t started seriously looking for a job in Idaho, he doesn’t have any strong prospects on the table. We are paying rent in Idaho and a house payment in Ohio. I feel discomfort, and I feel a touch of fear relating to the unknown!! Couple this discomfort and fear with the unknowns of what my boys are facing in the transition, and my feelings are multiplied. How does one approach God during these times?

“He humbled you, causing you to hunger and then feeding you with manna… to teach you that man does not live on bread along but on every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord… to test you so that in the end it might go well with you (Deuteronomy 8: 3 & 16, NIV).

Kelly Minter (2007) writes:

“The manna was not quite enough…. The Lord put them in this position so they would depend on Him and not on themselves, their provisions, or false gods. He wanted to do them good in the end (p. 103).

I approach God with hopeful expectancy; intrigue in how He will provide; and more dependency than ever! From this perspective, I have a renewed sense of purpose in embracing the discomfort, and in overcoming my fears. Does this make the discomfort go away? No, but believing in the end of the story changes the way I approach each new day.