The Afters

We all have those moments in life. Experiences that fracture time and altar the landscape of our lives. Beginnings and endings of relationships. Career changes. Sickness. Loss. New dreams. Old dreams. Moves. Seasonal changes of family. I’d venture to say more often than not, those points at which the before days crash into the after days are hard places. Battleground spaces where faith is tested. Deep-cutting experiences that leave scars and wounds. I know mine are.

I’m just 40, and some of these truth-moments of mine felt insurmountable. Others seemed paltry compared to the trials I know some endure. These experiences aren’t meant to be compared or measured against each other, though. They’re meant to be gently walked-through, fully lived in, and they are all worthy of acknowledgement. They all stand alone, singular in their worth. And they all have potential to produce fruit in the after.

For many of us, we are in the midst of a season that will have an ‘after’. We will remember the sickness, the loss, the financial strain or utter loss, the relational pain. I was reading in James this morning. These are his words…

Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

James 1:2-4

He goes on to say…

Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him…Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.

James 1:12 and 17

Our lives and perspectives may be significantly changed in the midst and wake of a trial. But God is without variation or shadow. He is always there, unwavering, unchanging, our Father of Lights. If we lean into him…if we remain steadfast…there will be blessing. There is a crown of life awaiting us. One day, there will be perfection and completion. Because that is the kind of God we serve. I’m praying for each of you reading this…for your steadfastness to bring you faithfully into your after, and for you to find God’s goodness all along the way.

Kate