In every season and in every game there are heart-stoppers while the game hinges on one play. BUT can you imagine what kind of team the Cowboys would be if they did not have to meet such players as the Rams and Redskins? They would never amount to much, and they would not thrill us.
Likewise can you imagine what Christianity would have been had it not been born in adversity. Suppose, for a moment that Christ was welcomed into every home in Israel. We would have missed those vivid scenes where his divinity showed. We would have had no back-drop against which to judge his wonder. The events that produced his grandest moments would have been denied us. We would be unable to affim him to be the Messiah.
Likewise, suppose Paul had been well received every-where he went? There would be no soul-stirring records of his mighty deeds to inspire us. And sustain us, and give us hope, for these records give us hope. Others had it said of them, "they were tortured, refusing to accept release; mocked, scourged, in chains and in prison. Stoned, sawn in two, killed with the sword, destitute, afflicted, ill treated...of whom this world was not worthy. With these we identify. From these we draw our strength. From these we gain our hope. Because our time, too, is not a bed of roses.
Creative living--creativity--is born out of adversity! It stems from thwarted impulse that has to achieve and perform in order to keep from turning cynical or revolutionary. Creativity flourishes when one meets with immoveable obstacles, and brings to the fight a passionate desire to achieve. It shines best when striving in dead heat; laboring to overcome; working with face flushed and heart a'flutter, and mind-birthing ideas. Creativity is born of tension,. There is no music to be had from a sagging string, but it has too be finely tensed. Likewise the human spirit. That's one reason for America's hope--we are tensed for action. So is the church! strive on!
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