Playing the long game

We tell you the good news: What God promised our ancestors he has fulfilled for us, their children, by raising up Jesus.  –Acts 13:32-33 (NIV)
 
Paul spoke these words before the synagogue in Pisidian Antioch. As he would make a habit of doing, he painted a picture of how all human history and all of Jewish scripture had pointed to Jesus. His generation experienced and witnessed the culmination of many ages of prophecy and anticipation.
 
In 2000 years of hindsight, we can see many more prophecies that have been fulfilled, but they all hinge on this big one: God visited Earth in the person of Jesus for the expressed purpose of redeeming all mankind. There are still additional promises to see fulfilled because there are still additional souls to be won. It ain’t over yet!
 
Our role then, is the same as Paul’s was – to speak the truth to as many as possible in order to locate “all who were appointed for eternal life” (Acts 13:48). May we never grow weary of doing just that. He will return. He will take his bride home. In the meantime, we are told there will be hardships.
 
They preached the gospel in that city and won a large number of disciples. Then they returned to Lystra, Iconium and Antioch, strengthening the disciples and encouraging them to remain true to the faith. “We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God,” they said.  –Acts 14:21-22 (NIV)
 
These new Christians, being encouraged here by Paul and Barnabas, had just heard, believed, and obeyed the gospel. Almost immediately, they watched Paul get thrown out of town and stoned nearly to death. Paul and Barnabas’ message upon their return visit? Strengthening, yes. Encouragement, yes. But ultimately? Trials are to be expected; stay true to Christ.
 
I do not know what the future holds. I do not know why I have been blessed to live my entire life to this point in a country where freedom is encouraged and celebrated, where Christians are able to live out their faith unimpeded. People all over the globe are hungry for the gospel and hindered from enjoying it because of persecution, isolation, and poverty. The ideologies creating those circumstances have changed since Paul’s time, but the motives of those who would stamp out Christianity remain constant. Greed, lust for power, and jealousy still drive many. Seen in the short term, setbacks and difficulties are very demoralizing.
 
While I enjoy the blessings God has chosen to provide to me in this place and time, am I using the opportunity to bless others, or is it more “keep it at arm’s length”, “out of sight, out of mind”? Closer to home, how will I respond when the trials show up at my door? Paul would tell us they're coming, and when they do, it should not be a surprise. We have to be playing the long game. We WILL have hardships. And God WILL win. It’s all predicted and promised. Will we be standing in the end?
 
I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world. –John 16:33 (NIV)