Excerpt from Psalm 126

"Those who go out weeping, bearing the seed for sowing, shall come home with shouts of joy, carrying their sheaves."

Reflection by Ron Buford

Life sometimes knocks us down. It happens to everyone. The key is to get back up and keep moving. The psalmist offers a simple formula for getting through tough times:

First, remember ways God has brought you through past tough times;

Second, ask God to do it again, and;

Third, show that you believe by moving forward before there is tangible or visible reason to do so—even while weeping, sow seeds for the future you envision, though the path may be uncertain and you may just not feel like it . . .  yet.

You may be worried about a job, finances, a relationship, illness, fears about aging, trouble with kids, aging parents, an old hurt, or just "the blues." Whatever it is, God specializes in restoring life’s greatest fortunes—love, joy, peace, and more—even before we feel it or see it coming. Leave the "how" to God as you focus on your hope. There will be a harvest. Go out, look for it. But it may come in a surprising new way or from surprising places. Be open. Don't miss it. Weep freely, but always with nagging, unrelenting hope in God.

Prayer

Gracious God, I need your help right now. Please restore my life to better times. Forgive me for the way I tend to forget the ways you have been with me in the past. For the faith I lack as I say these words, please help my unbelief and send your Holy Spirit to pray for me when I doubt and forget. Guide me. Teach me. I’m getting up and out . . . today, thanking and praising you now. Amen.

About the Author Ron Buford, former coordinator of the UCC's God is still speaking campaign, consults with religious and nonprofit organizations, leads workshops, and preaches in churches across the U.S. and U.K. Ron also appears in the DVD-based progressive theology series, Living the Questions 2.0.

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