And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. (Galatians 6:9, ESV)
I used to believe that if God asked me to do something—called me to a task or a ministry—then I’d be under His umbrella of protection and no difficulties could touch me.
That’s only partially true.
God does extend His strength and grace to those He calls to a task, but being in the middle of God’s will doesn’t exempt us from struggle or difficulty. I learned that as I watched our son during his time of service in the military. He was called to that service—of that I have no doubt. But oh how he struggled. There were seemingly insurmountable obstacles he faced during that time. I watched as he left at the tender age of 18 to serve in a war zone. And on his return, I greeted a man who had seen battle.
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I faced struggles with my calling as well. God had appointed me as this young man’s mother, but I wrestled with how to support a son in the military. I wanted to encourage him, even as I wanted to throw my arms around him and demand he quit. Many of you know much more about the struggles of having a loved one in the military. I still can’t imagine the strength it takes to be have a spouse who serves, or a father or mother away in a war zone.
The cost of God’s call is sometimes more than we can comprehend. There are those whose loved ones have never returned because they’ve paid the ultimate price for their calling.
How do we reconcile all this with a God who protects and loves us? It’s not an easy thing. I don’t think we have the capacity to grasp the entire width and breadth that encompasses God’s call to a people He loves. Part of that equation is faith and part of it is the peace that passes all understanding no matter the circumstance.
One thing I do know is that God is faithful. He calls us to the hard things of life, but He never lets us go through it alone. He’s always present, always giving us His strength and never abandoning those whom He loves. I’ve experienced the hard part of God’s call, but I’ve also been the recipient of the joy that comes from following that difficult path.
The call of God transcends feelings and pulls us deep onto the bedrock of faith. When we stay the course, we will have the reward. It’s not always given in this life, but we have the assurance that it’s coming.
