Hi everyone,
I remember growing up this saying that was really popular, especially in the body building world (which I was very much not a part of), and it goes “no pain, no gain” and some have expanded it to “short term pain, long term gain”. Basically it means that working out might suck now (pain), but it’ll be extremely beneficial in the long run (gain). This just doesn’t apply to working out, but in many areas of life that involve discipline, sacrifice, and will. Basically the saying reassures us that while things might be difficult and perhaps inconvenient now, the pay off will be worth it.
When I was working retail, one of my managers flipped it around a bit, and said that everyone (that worked with us) was after “short term gain, but long term pain”. He meant that (it seemed to him, at least) everyone wanted their instant gratification, regardless of what the cost will be down the road. He usually was talking about investing money, how most people don’t bother because they want all the money they can get to use now, but I think the principle still applies to life in general as well.
I’m not saying that we should intentionally forego any kind of pleasure or joy in favour of hardship, but I am saying that when we are experiencing hardship because of things out of our control that we can continue to have hope. Hope in the future. Hope in the community that we find ourselves in. Hope in the gain that is yet to come.
This gain won’t necessarily be in the form of large muscles or bank accounts, but it will come in blessing, grace and mercy, and the peace in knowing that regardless of what we go through, that we are loved. This doesn’t take away the pain, but it does remind us that pain is temporary and will go away and make room for the gains of the gospel of Christ.
Here are the readings for next week:
Isaiah 62:1-5
Psalm 36:5-10
1 Corinthians 12:1-11
John 2:1-11
And the video of them being read:
These readings are all about that hope. First the nation of Israel is given hope that their exile won’t last forever. Then Paul reminds the Corinthian church that not all is lost just because they can’t do or are good at the same things that the next person can do or is good at. And then Jesus shows how the celebration of life and love doesn’t end because of mishap.
But notice that none of them promise that hardship won’t happen. They don’t give false assurances that life will be on easy street. They don’t suggest that things will always be good. Instead they acknowledge how life can throw us curveballs, how we might run into walls and hurdles that block our plans and goals, how the unexpected might happen and put us in a loop.
See, even in our hardship, we are given hope. Even when things are difficult, we are reminded that they will turn around. Even in pain, we will be given gain.
The gain of community, love, and blessing, graciously given to us by God through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Thanks be to God! Have a great week, everyone!