Thursday of the Seventh Week of Easter
Have you ever grown weary of fighting the good fight? Have you repeated your message and marched for your cause repeatedly, only to feel that your words and actions seem fruitless? No headway, no progress in our desire to overcome evil with good?
Perhaps simply watching the evening news will open the door to despondency.
I imagine Saint Paul praying at night, asking God to keep discouragement at bay. After all, he was no stranger to personal attacks, tribunals, and even plots to kill him. Those that bullied him, the Pharisees and Sadducees, rejected Paul as a member of their own people because he served God as Apostle to the Gentiles.
In Acts 23, Paul attempts to establish a rapport with the Pharisees by declaring “the hope in the resurrection of the dead.” He reminds them that he is also a Pharisee. He uses the present tense. He pleads with his brothers: Look, I am one of you.
Paul’s defense generates chaos among his accusers, who begin to argue amongst themselves. They still see the Apostle as the other.
For the remainder of Acts, Paul remains in custody. Did Paul lose hope while imprisoned in Roman barracks? Did he contend with doubt and waves of despair? Perhaps, because Paul was only human. Yet, Luke writes, “That night, the Lord stood near him and said, ‘Keep up your courage!’”
Each of us walks a path with Jesus destined to bring his will to fruition. We can trust that despite a lack of results or an abundance of setbacks, God will keep the lamp of hope burning in our hearts. We walk, gradually, doing our best. We persevere.
Even if we have to repeat ourselves.
Even if we do not see the justice we yearn for right now.
Being misunderstood, ostracized, discounted.
Facing accusers.
The Lord stands near us and says, “Take courage!” For he has plans for us.
-Rachael Griggs