What if the hardships and struggles we go through are a type of basic training – preparing us for greater service in God’s kingdom? And what if God has not left us alone to simply drift through life, but is rather using the events of our daily lives to equip us for greater faith, hope, and love throughout our life in this world?
We’ve each been given the task of using our unique strengths to bring more life and goodness into the world. And while some of this comes through our natural gifting, it’s still true we must be trained and prepared to reach our potential.
But unlike formal education or professional seminars, much of our training here happens in everyday life. In fact, we’re often not even aware we’re enrolled in a particular course until it’s test time – a time to put into practice the virtues important to us.
For instance, getting married, starting a family, career changes, and the like all put our faith to the test. Will we take matters into our own hands and try to arrange for the life we want to live? Or will we surrender our control and faithfully follow God’s Spirit into the unknown frontiers of life.
When every headline seems to contribute more and more to the darkness and despair all around us, will we practice hope anyway? Will we live with eager anticipation or give into the fear?
Likewise, will we practice love in a world in which hate and division seem to be our only common language? Will we extend grace, compassion, and understanding to those who are different from us, and with whom we might even passionately disagree on many things?
To be sure, God is equipping us for greater service and glory in his kingdom by giving us regular opportunities to practice faith, hope, and love in everyday life.
In the end, keep your eyes open to the many ways in which you are being equipped. Perhaps your everyday struggles are part of God’s training ground to better prepare you to bring more life and goodness into the world.
Photo by Aejaz Memon on Unsplash
