Beautiful Girl, You Can Do Hard Things

Not sure why I thought it would be different. Or why I assumed it would be without struggle. I really don’t know how I arrived at that conclusion. Possibly the world and its trappings, its fabrication, and most definitely, the weakness of my flesh, that quite frankly, likes it easy and comfortable. St. Paul reminds us often that we will be tested, pressed and put through the fire. But, beautiful girl, you can do hard things.

That’s what my coffee mug says, Beautiful girl, you can do hard things (https://www.naturallife.com/). It inspires and reminds me daily that it will be hard, but I can do it. As I reflect on the last few years of ministry, the work has been hard, the lessons plentiful, and thank God, there has been some growth.

Alongside

The one constant has been and continues to be Jesus. I know he is with me. I’ll be honest though, there are times I forget Jesus is alongside, but my community reminds me to look up and take notice; he is standing by. Although worn and weary by the last few years, in what has felt like pushing a sled uphill, my community reminds me they can take a turn at pushing. I have felt discouragement and disappointment, but encouragers come along side, locking arms and together we carry the banner. And every morning, as I drink my cup of coffee, I am reminded that I can do hard things, but not alone.

“But the Lord stood at my side and gave me strength…” 

2 Timothy 4:17

Jesus did hard

Why would I think it would be any different for me? Jesus had hard relationships, difficult and terse encounters with leaders and conversations that were challenging. He encountered mockery, ridicule, betrayal, abandonment and rejection. His reputation was constantly under attack. His adversaries were numerous and they were out to silence him. Why would we think advancing the gospel in this day and age would yield anything else? Same movie, just a different back drop.

As St. Paul so beautifully describes in this scripture passage: 

“But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that his life may also be revealed in our mortal body. So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you.”

2 Corinthians 4:7-12

Jars of clay are pressed and broken to be a conduit for the all surpassing power that is from God. Is it hard? It was for Jesus. But, broken jars make better vessels for God to work through. After all, Jesus endured a lot of “broken” – broken relationships, broken promises, a broken body, and ultimately death – so as to usher in, life at work in you.

If you are in a season of hard, lean into Jesus. He knows exactly how you feel. He walked the hard road for us. Find your community and let them help. And remember, beautiful girl, you can do hard things.