Almost there

Perseverance is pushing forward despite difficulties or setbacks. Sometimes it is hard to persevere when you are in a rough situation. But what can make it easier is if you know that something good lies ahead.  I am going to share something with you that God spoke to me when I was feeling discouraged about the future.

If you have seen Mel Gibson's movie The Passion of the Christ, there is a scene where they get that guy to help Jesus carry the cross. In the movie, after a while, the guy notices that Jesus is really struggling. So he offers up some encouragement by saying to the Christ; "Almost there." Aww that was nice of him right? But wait a second… almost where? Almost to the place where He is going to be crucified?!!! Oh yeah, that's very encouraging. That's what I would want to hear. Don't worry Jesus, you're almost there, then it's going to be… uh… well… it's actually going to be a lot worse.

Jesus really did walk that path knowing what was ahead. He knew that as he persevered through all of the suffering that lead up to His crucifixion, that he was going to be crucified and suffer even more.

But here is the good part. The entire time Christ was suffering, an exchange was taking place. You see, He took your place. His body was broken so you could be healed. He became sin and was rejected so that you could become righteousness and be forever accepted. He persevered through a rough situation, knowing that something excruciating was ahead, so that you, His beloved, could always know that when you persevere through a rough situation that something wonderful, amazing and good always lies ahead.