Today as I reflect on the beauty of Easter I am overcome with gratitude because of what Jesus has done for me. Not only has he offered eternal life, but he has given me freedom to live a fulfilled life in him with each new day. But if this is true then why am I so often met with difficulty as I follow Jesus. After all didn’t Jesus say to his followers, “And surely it will be easy to the end of the age…” Wait, no, that’s not right?! He said “And surely I will be WITH YOU ALWAYS and to the end of the age.” (Mat. 28:20) This is a very different message.
I often find myself discouraged when I face obstacles as I follow the will of God. I moan and complain, “God why is this happening to me?!” I may as well be saying “ It would have been better for me to serve the Egyptians than to die in the desert!” (Ex. 14:12). Like the Israelites, I complain and criticize God rather than stand in awe of who He is and what he has done. There truly is nothing new under the sun. The irony of it is that I feel like God owes me an easy life because I have said yes to him, but this is not a biblical value. In fact Jesus promises the opposite. He says that his path is narrow and difficult (Mat. 7:13; Luke 10:3, 14:27). To his twelve closest followers he promises persecution (Mark 10:29-30). Then why do I believe that it should be easy? Why do I think a life of following Jesus should bring me happiness? Maybe it is because somewhere in my heart I believe that I deserve the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. This is not a biblical value, but an American one. Somewhere along the path of life I allowed the world around me to taint my Biblical worldview. The pursuit of happiness is often met with unfulfillment and regret, but the pursuit of holiness is what produces true fulfillment that often leads to happiness. God desires for us to be fulfilled, but this fulfillment does not come in chasing happiness. It comes in chasing Jesus, and knowing, that through it all, he is with you. I hope you find encouragement this week as you reflect on the fact that Jesus is with you always and to the end of the age.