A mid-weekly thought at the end of the week

​When asked what it’s like having five children, comedian Jim Gaffigan said, “It’s like treading water in the deep end of a pool. And then someone hands you a baby.”
 
You don’t need to have kids to understand how difficult it can be to keep your head above water – especially as we deal with what seems like an endless list of life challenges. For some it’s health issues. For others it’s financial challenges. You might be overworked, or out of work. Today, you might be healthy and happy. But tomorrow you might be sick and sad.

​"The Christian church has survived 2,000 years’ worth of wars, pandemics, political riffs, natural disaster and theological awakenings. So will we. Because our God is faithful, even if we’re not."

While it's easy for me to write some words of hope about Jesus rescuing us from our mess, it’s harder for me to actually live them out faithfully when life throws me a curve ball. I’m human, and I too have my moments of faithlessness and doubt, especially during trying times. More often than I wish to admit, these feelings make me want to go do something different.
 
Apparently, I’m not alone. According to Barna Research, last year 38% of ministers considered quitting their jobs. Between the politics and the pandemic, faith leaders are so burnt out from all the infighting that they’re willing to turn their backs on what God has called them to do. Life is a struggle. And trying to live a Christ centered life is a challenge on a whole other level.
 
It’s tempting to throw in the towel, give up your faith and walk away from the church. But before you do, consider this.

​The Christian church has survived 2,000 years’ worth of wars, pandemics, political riffs, natural disaster and theological awakenings. "So will we. Because our God is faithful, even if we’re not."
 
If anyone knew the harsh and difficult reality of this earthly life, it’s Jesus. Through the struggles and pain that he endured, he still remained faithful to what God was asking of him. And what God wanted wasn’t for Jesus to go build a better church. Instead, God sent him to be with us, in all our messiness, to be the visible presence of God’s redemptive love and grace.
 
If we are to take his name, and assume his holy body as a Christian church, then we too will face the many challenges Jesus faced. There will be times when we will struggle to keep our heads above water when someone hands us a baby to care for. But through it all, we know that we will overcome life’s challenges somehow because our God is faithful, even when we are not.