5 May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus (Romans 15:5)
The characteristics of our Creator are many. As reflections of His grace, the best of us show remnants as reflections of a Truer nature. It is refreshing to know the traits of God are full in Him alone, and are available to us in shades through the Spirit. Identified limping followers of a perfect God, we are sure to crash into each other in frustration and absurdity. To live in harmony is a miracle found in the strength of our Holy Other.
But why are these two traits highlighted? Paul could have listed any number of the characteristics of God.
Justice and Mercy
Grace and Truth
Strength and Humility
Perhaps Paul knew something about the relational economy between us. Endurance and encouragement reveal a few things of the design of our meeting and growing together. It of course is not the whole of relational gifts needed to sustain hardship, but it is a good start.
Endurance
To be around others, and even ourselves, we need such a trait as this. The truth of life proves that we endure each other oftentimes more than we enjoy each other. Yet, in all relationships, we see days only add to our bond. The longer we stay, the more that we see, feel, and experience. With grace, this endurance fuses souls together. This of course is anything but simple. Endurance runs counter to our ready-now desires. It is taking the long way around – the scenic route – toward relational strength. Both our spiritual convictions as well as our relational practicalities, work best in patience. Even with this, there is no “success” in our bonds, or at least in a quantifiable way. Two or more people, bonded together, for any amount of time, will only bring to the surface frustrations, divisions, and egos. When we can recognize this, letting our guard down in the process, we are free to endure with people, accepting their faults and our own.
Encouragement
Much of life is made in suffering. This is not a pleasant thought to dwell on, but our faith has to recognize this truth in order to find any lasting encouragement. When we are at our worse, we look to a God who is always at His best. If we could thrive without a Creator, then we wouldn’t need a personal relationship. It is only through our desperation that we can connect to something entirely outside of ourselves. To be encouraged, we must first taste freely the bitter cup of this life. We must never forget the strength of faith found in the person of Jesus, the man of sorrow, who was punished, mocked, and killed for us. Because of this horrific travesty of justice, we can now be encouraged knowing He took the burden of suffering on our behalf, forever flipping the script on sorrow. We are free to live encouraged and even joyful lives because of the reckoning of the cross. No matter how small or petty, our relational matters can be examined under its shade. The follower finds new meaning in “us”; new purpose in unity.
I pray for endurance and encouragement for you. These are divisive times indeed. Yet, the Church has a rare gift to show unity and health when it is lacking everywhere else.
Matt simon blog 