The devotional below was authored by Gordon Smith.
Gordon Smith is a retired pastor, former track athlete, and author who studied at Southwestern Seminary and Pittsburgh Theological Seminary. His many years of counseling and other pastoral duties gave him a unique perspective on relationships which led to the writing of two books, “When the Blindfold Falls Off – Skills Necessary for Lasting Relationships” and “From Broken to Blessed – Our Story of Blending Two Families,” which he co-wrote with wife Sharin.
THERE’S LIGHT IN THE DARKNESS
Today’s news can easily leave us despondent and depressed. In these days of civil unrest, political division, and physical isolation, we’re reminded that life is a bumpy road… always has been and always will be. In Scott Peck’s classic, The Road Less Traveled, his first sentence reads, “Life is difficult.” Jesus, himself, concedes that “In this world you will have tribulation.”
Gerald Kennedy told the story of the pessimist who complained about life, its burdens and troubles. Finally his daughter stood it as long as she could and said, “Well, cheer up, Dad. Some day you will be dead and all your troubles will be over.” Her father gloomily replied, “It’ll be just my luck to have the resurrection the next day!”
However, there’s another attitude we can choose as we face the bumps in the road of life… an attitude of realistic optimism. Even though Jesus acknowledged that life is full of tribulations, he concluded his thought with the words, “but be of good cheer, for I have overcome the world.” If we ever needed that spirit and attitude we need it today. The carpenter from Nazareth can be our role model:
He had an unyielding confidence in God. He believed that this is God’s world and that He personally cares for it. If we really believe that, we can face the head winds of life with a calming peacefulness. As Paul says, “My God shall supply all my needs according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.”
He had a confident faith in human nature. He believed there was a spark of divinity in every person. Let us never forget the multitude of people in our country who are honest, hardworking, and patriotic men and women.
He had 100% faith in eternal life. Regardless of how big the bumps in the road of life may be, even if that bump is death, there is only life.
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