...For I am With You Always...

"Hard times create strong men. Strong men create good times. Good times create weak men. And, weak men create hard times." - G. Michael Hopf - Those Who Remain

This quote is most frequently associated with author and former Marine G. Michal Hopf. The premise behind Hopf's statement holds true to the cyclic nature of life.

Although I've not ready Hopf's books, I cannot help but reflect on the truth in that one quote.

Truth and faith play their role in the cycle of hard vs. good times. Many wonder what it means for our generation - those who lived through good times. Have we become weak men? Is our legacy that of hard times for our children?

All one must do to answer that question is to look up from their computer screen. A quick glance at American society reveals most of what Paul warned Timothy about in his second epistle.

"There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God." (2 Tim 3:1-4, NIV)

It is quite remarkable the parallels between the warning in Timothy and the state of our Union today. Lovers of themselves...money...proud...slanderous...lovers of pleasures. Wow. The similarities are striking.

But all is not lost, Servant Leader. Even in these last days - when men love themselves more than their neighbor - when men love money more than God - when men love power more than those placed under their charge - even in these last days there is hope. Hope and a charge to stand against unfathomable power.

Our hope is in Christ Jesus, who is with us even in hard times (Matt 28:20). Our charge is to pray for our leaders, even when they seem lost (2 Tim 2:1-2). And our place is at the foot of the cross, where we lay these burdens at the feet of the One whose shoulders are strong enough to bear them...

"Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus." (1 Thes 5:16-18, NIV)

Be strong in the good times and the hard, Servant Leader. Have joy in the face of adversity, not because our faith is manufactured, but because it is grounded in God's Word and our love of Jesus Christ.

Good times need not create weak men and women if those men and women are rooted in the Word.

(Photo: Suzanne Gieisemann)