Have you ever been to a theme park where you could buy a t-shirt that read, “I survived {fill in the blank} rollercoaster”? You can get a t-shirt or mug commemorating just about any life event in the name of, “I survived”. There are numerous TV shows that showcase an individual’s capacity to survive every extreme, from bodily exertion to outlasting other women, crammed together in a house clamoring over a rose (or something like that). The idea of survival is deeply inbred in all of us by the Creator and the accomplishments that this drive can achieve can be quite entertaining to watch and awe inspiring to say the least.
In more practical terms, watching true survival should make us stand back in awe of God. Think about watching a NICU baby fight for his life or a soldier in battle, maneuvering his way through great adversity to accomplish to his mission.
Whether you are trying to survive a difficult college class or fighting to endure another sleepless night as a new mother, we are all well versed in survival.
Google defines ‘survival’ as: the state or fact of continuing to live or exist, typically in spite of an accident, ordeal, or difficult circumstances.
In all of these scenarios, continuing to exist is the goal. This brings me to my point at last.
Is survival the intention of life?
At the end of our days, are we going to be greeted at the pearly gates with white robes and a t-shirt that reads, “I survived planet earth”? I’ll admit I’m not fluent in Greek, but The Word doesn’t seem to indicate that Christ is interested in our survival of circumstances, but rather, how we survive.
Of late, this question has challenged me.
One of my favorite and far too frequented phrases include, ‘I’m fine”, which, being interpreted means, “I’m surviving and not about to die, thanks for asking.” This catch-all phrase is widely used in our society today, and probably truly what people are looking for when asking, “How are you?” In casual greetings, an average person is not truly interested in the full explanation to their polite greeting, but rather saying, “Please tell me if you’re about to cease existing so we may continue our interaction to get our needs met and carry on.”*
*Obviously, this scenario is not an absolute and hopefully not found among close friends and family. Please don’t berate the next person who asks you, “How are you?” by saying, “Don’t bother asking, I know you’re just being polite…”
I typically take it upon myself to even tell others, “You’re fine”, as if to say, “Stop complaining, you’re not about to die”. Further, I will even qualify another person’s state of well-being after analyzing the situation by saying “Oh, she’s fine”… Audacious, to say the least, and please pray for my friends who have to deal with me. Empathy and compassion are not high up on my short list of qualities, obviously, but we’ll save that conversation for another time.
As with all situations, the Bible has a perspective on surviving. In Romans 5 we hear:
1 Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God. 3 Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4 perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5 And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us… (read the rest here).
Boasting in suffering? Well, that’s new.
Hope is not a static characteristic, it is a process, further, hope is a choice.
What is the process?
Realize that suffering isn’t for your harm, but for your good… Gulp. That’s hard to swallow, but that is the truth.
You will believe and act upon that which captures your attention the longest.
“Whatever she said was true.” What a compliment, what a challenge!