Be truly glad! There is wonderful joy ahead, even though the going is rough for a while down here. 1 Peter 1:6
This week I’ve been listening to an audiobook reporting interviews with Ukrainian civilians on their roles in the ongoing war effort. One particular story struck me. The journalist writes:
Fireman Andre is trying to rebuild his life. On 19 March 2022 he and his crew were called to a fire on the outskirts of Kyiv. As the Russian soldiers were retreating, they had buried landmines in the roads. Andre’s firetruck ran over one and his legs were blown off. With the help of crutches and prosthesis, he’s able to walk again. As I watch him I am in awe of his determination. It’s a privilege to witness his joy. Today, with tenacity and focus, Andre is able to take 6 or 7 steps. If he can take 2 or 3 more steps each day, that is real progress. Being able to walk again gives him a clear sense of purpose.
When I first look at Andre I see a man with no legs. But when he looks at himself he sees a man learning to walk again, making progress day by day. I realise as I sit talking with him that his perspective is so much better than mine. Andre has a physical limitation; I have a mindset limitation. He is dealing with his limitation. I should deal with mine.*
Our lives can be rough at times (or as other translations of verse 6 say, ‘have many trials’). But our perspective sure plays a big part in how we both view those times and journey through them. Andre’s story helped me see that I often have ‘perspective limitation’ to the rough patches of my life; it includes a lot of moaning and feeling sorry for myself. I need to deal with that by taking on God’s perspective, which we see in the verses before 1 Peter 1:6:
What a God we have! And how fortunate we are to have him, this Father of our Master Jesus! Because Jesus was raised from the dead, we’ve been given a brand-new life and have everything to live for, including a future in heaven—and the future starts now! God is keeping careful watch over us and the future. The Day is coming when you’ll have it all—life healed and whole. So be truly glad! There is wonderful joy ahead, even though the going is rough for a while down here.**
Sue McQuay
*A Bunker in Kyiv: The Astonishing Story of the People’s Army Defying Putin by John Lyons, 2025.
**1 Peter 1 v6 The Living Bible; v3-5 The Message
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