Morning Trust
Romans 12:12Rejoicing in hope; enduring in troubles; continuing steadfastly in prayer.
Three participles sketch a Christian posture: rejoicing in hope, enduring trouble, continuing steadfastly in prayer. They belong together. Hope without endurance becomes fragile optimism. Endurance without prayer becomes grim self-management. Prayer without hope becomes empty ritual. Lent will supply trouble enough to test the braid. Rejoice on purpose in what Christ has secured. Endure without dramatizing yourself as the only sufferer. Pray when you feel least eloquent. Put the triad on a note where you will see it during a hard afternoon. When one strand frays—say prayerlessness—repair it before the whole rope fails. Steadfast continuing is ordinary faithfulness with a long horizon. Let March teach you the rhythm again. Troubles will try to mute hope and hurry will try to mute prayer. Protect the braid with small daily choices that look unimpressive and prove durable.
PrayerFather, grow in me joyful hope, endurance in trouble, and stubborn prayer. Keep these three braided when I want to drop one. Amen.
