"Son, back when I was your age . . ."Have you ever been on the receiving end of one of those lectures? My favorite dictate is, "Son, back when I was your age we walked uphill -- both ways -- in the snow!" Interesting words coming from a Floridian!
The point, of course, is that life is tough! There are many days when we trod that uphill path!
I saw that first-hand this weekend at our Easter services. With large numbers of people walking through the doors, I had the opportunity to interact with many "hikers." I spoke with a man who is grieving the loss of his father; chatted with a friend who is recovering from surgery; I greeted another who lives in a wheelchair; I hugged a friend who is battling cancer; cheered on a couple who are fighting together to keep their marriage intact; listened to a college student share his hectic schedule of work and study, and walked alongside a friend with high demands, a crowded schedule, and not enough rest.
Jesus said,"In this world you will have trouble!" Translated: The path of life is not always level. You'll be walking uphill a lot of times. You will have to climb over rocks, traverse obstacles, double-back, and sometimes lug through snow! But then he added this -- "But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
As I was thinking about Jesus' words, the reality of the resurrection hit home. Apart from the Easter message those words from Jesus are just a platitude. But as Paul reminds us, "But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead."And since Jesus overcame the grave, he can overcome the world too. And that means helping you even when you have to walk uphill . . . both ways!