We’re living in times that could easily tempt us to give up. The principles that underpin our societies seem to be shifting. Things that we thought were certain and essential for the smooth running of our communities and nations appear to be dissolving before our eyes. We’ve no idea how things will develop, but there’s a general feeling that outcomes are less than likely to be positive. We’re living with seemingly ever increasing levels of uncertainty and anxiety.
In such times we can easily give in to despair. We can feel powerless and that everything is pointless and beyond our control. It can make even the possibility of hope seem, at best, naïve and unrealistic.
In his first letter to the Corinthians St Paul takes a different approach as he calls us to never give up. He writes:
“Never give in then, my dear people, never admit defeat; keep on working at the Lord’s work always, knowing that, in the Lord, you cannot be labouring in vain.”
St Paul was no stranger to adverse circumstances, nor were the Corinthians. Knowing some of the situations he faced I can imagine that he was also tempted by despair. He knew suffering, frustration & disappointment. Through them all he was able to keep his eyes firmly on Christ. He trusted that, however hard life was, however little effect his work seemed to have, Christ would bring it to fruition. In our challenging time his message not to give up has an added resonance. We too are called to carry on working to bring about the Kingdom in whatever way we can.
Where is Christ calling you to keep trusting his promise today?