Have you ever thought to yourself “Why do I even bother trying? It’s not going to make any difference if I do the right thing. It’s not going to change the world. It’s not going to dismantle selfish or greedy or corrupt systems, so why put in the effort?”
It’s so easy to feel defeated when it seems like “the bad guys always come out on top.”
The passages for this week don’t shy away from the reality of suffering that accompanies a deep faith life; but the writers also touch on the hope and trust that live in us because of what we know: that God’s love never ceases; that the power of the Spirit that was in Jesus throughout his ministry is in every faithful soul; and that no matter how feeble we may feel in our abilities to illuminate that love, it is in us nonetheless and it is never ceasing.
So, does it make a difference if we try to “do the right thing?” Maybe not immediately. Maybe not for us. Maybe not in our lifetime. But … what is the alternative?
As faithful followers of Christ we know the power of God’s love, we know the path that leads to love and health and care for all. So, even when that path feels in opposition to the paths of folks around us, we stay the course because we have trust and hope in God’s steadfast love for us, for this world and for all creation.