A Joyful Return to Zion

"Bring back our captivity, O LORD, as the streams in the South. Those who sow in tears shall reap in joy. He who continually goes forth weeping, bearing seed for sowing, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him." - Psalm 126:4-6

I had to get a ride to church this morning, because my car had a flat tire. Thankfully, my next door neighbor decided to go to the city today and offered to take me to get the tire fixed. I was blessed to hear the sermon my pastor preached. He preached on "Furthering the Gospel with our Lives." I have a couple of close friends who have been going through some difficult things. Honestly, so have I, so we have been able to encourage one another and pray with each other through them. The pastor's main point was that "The purpose of your life, no matter what your situation or circumstances, is to further the Gospel." When I remind myself that this life is not about me, it is so much easier to face difficult circumstances. I pray that everything in my life will point others to Jesus Christ. Then I read Scriptures like the one above from Psalm 126, and I am reminded that even when the Jews were taken into captivity as a result of their sin, God had mercy on them and allowed a remnant to return to Jerusalem. When we walk in obedience to the Lord, he turns our sorrows into joy. If I am able to stay focused on Jesus Christ and use my circumstances to glorify God, then I am serving Him as I am called to do. Only then will I experience a joyful return from the desert into the Promised Land.