“God’s grace always assists the one who struggles,
but this does not mean that the person struggling is always ends in a position of victory...
What is important is not who is victorious,
but the labor of striving towards and devotion to God.”
- St John Maximovitch, Sermons and Writings of St John, pg 8.
Reflection:
“The Lord Jesus Christ according to worldly view, was in trouble, but when the world considered Him to be completely destroyed, in actuality He was victorious over death and hades.”(1)
“The power of God is effective when a person asks for assistance from God, acknowledging the weakness of one’s nature. This is why humility and striving towards God are fundamental virtues of a Christian.”(2)
Though we may not always be or feel “victorious” according to society's standards, our fulfillment in Christ is stronger than the standards of society. The ‘weakness of God is stronger than man’(3).
Let us never give up on striving toward God, even when it feels like we are losing, and Christ will provide His grace as He did for St Paul saying, “My Grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness”(4).
When we are persistent in our striving toward God, even during difficult times, we will witness God’s Grace and end up more genuine, peaceful, and loving.
Resources:
1) St John Maximovitch, Sermons and Writings of St John, pg 8.
2) St John Maximovitch, Sermons and Writings of St John, pg 8.
