Anyway

We were supposed to be on a cruise ship this morning, sailing to the Bahamas with our family. But, because of Covid-19, cruises are cancelled. And I'm disappointed. Certainly I would have enjoyed the cruise. But what disappoints me more is missing out on the time with family.


Inevitably there will be some disappointments in life. Life, even at its best, can be challenging, and those challenges come in all shapes and sizes, in all areas of our lives.

In health.
In relationships.
In politics.
In the workplace.
And in the current virus and hate-filled environment we now find ourselves in, life is full of disappointments and challenges.

Everywhere we turn, there are challenges to be faced and disappointments to be dealt with. Some days it seems there is a new crisis hiding around every corner.

How do we deal with all that? How do we handle these challenges and crises and disappointments? What do we do?

We trust God anyway. Even when things aren't going our way. Even when we have health issues or financial issues or relationship issues. Even when we have been hurt or disappointed. Even when politicians seem to have no moral compass. Even when those we love are suffering. Even when we don't know how we will pay our bills. Even when there aren't enough hours in the day. Even when the pain is more than we think we can bear.

Even then. Anyway.

Martina McBride expressed this well in a song she wrote and recorded a few years ago. One verse of that song says, "God is great, But sometimes life ain't good, And when I pray it doesn't always turn out like I think it should. But I do it anyway, I do it anyway."

Anyway.

That's what faith is all about. Faith is not dependent on circumstances. Faith is faith in spite of circumstances.

Trust God anyway.

Obey God anyway.

Believe God anyway.

Let your light shine anyway.



"Even though the fig trees have no blossoms, and there are no grapes on the vines; even though the olive crop fails, and the fields lie empty and barren, and the cattle barns are empty, yet I will rejoice in the LORD!  I will be joyful in the God of my salvation!  The Sovereign LORD is my strength!  (Habakkuk 3:17-19a NLT, emphasis mine)