Seeing things through

Trust in the Lord forever, for in the Lord God you have an everlasting rock. — Isaiah 26:4

How many times do we start new projects with great enthusiasm only to become discouraged when we realize all the work that needs to go into it? The excitement wanes when reality strikes. We can’t see the end and we become discouraged and drop the project all together.

When the people following Jesus found out how hard it would be, many walked away. Jesus predicted this would happen. In the parable of the sower in Mark’s Gospel, Jesus says that we are like seeds sown among the thorns. We hear the word, but the cares of the world, the lure of wealth and the desire for other things come in and choke the word, yielding nothing.

No matter the difficulties, though, God will give us the strength to follow God one step at a time. Isaiah reminds us on our Lenten journeys to “trust in the Lord forever, for in the Lord God you have an everlasting rock.” Jesus himself reminds us also not to worry about our lives, what we will eat or drink or wear. He says to consider the lilies of the field and see how they grow.

We have a great big God project to see through on this Lenten road and beyond — that of sharing the hope that we have in God. And God knows what we need and God will provide it. Will we see it to a good finish?

Lord, trusting in you leads to life. Help us to trust you more. In Christ’s name, we pray. Amen.