There’s a popular phrase “When life gives you lemons, make lemonade.” In other words, when things just don’t seem to be going that well, make the most of it.
That is definitely easier said than done.
There are times in life when it feels like you are playing a game of dodgeball and the balls have been replaced by lemons and they’re all coming at you.
Throughout the New Testament, we can find patterns of Christ followers being pummeled with life’s lemons, but bouncing back and enjoying a glass of lemonade because of two things – the Holy Spirit and the presence of community.
The Apostle Paul seemed to be particularly good at that considering all the times he rejoiced in prison, sending letters of encouragement to his tribe of fellow Christ followers.
But in this present COVID-y (is that a word yet?) reality, community is a concept we’ve quickly lost sight of. It doesn’t mean we need it any less or benefit from it any less.
Community makes us stronger. It makes it easier to push through when we’re going through crap.
But what happens when that community fails? Or perhaps the moment you need them, they’re not close by?
Well, this is where we have really let our faith do some walking. This is where we have to lean into God. We have to trust that God knows us even if no one else knows us. We have to trust that God’s strength is enough to bring us through.
When we sense that we are under attack, it’s easy to start to feel like we are the only ones in the history of the universe who can’t seem to get their stuff together. Clearly that’s not true. But it’s hard to remember that.
If you feel like you are being lemon pummeled in life right now and aren’t sure what to do, take a note from 2 Chronicles 20:12, “We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you.” In other words, shift your focus. Look for God in the big and little moments and keep your eyes on the good and holy. That’s how life’s lemonade is made.
It’s a wonderful thing when we can embrace the making of lemonade, finding joy and peace in the crazy.
p.s. I’m willing to bet that those people who are pitching lemons at you, just aren’t sure what to do with the lemons themselves. Perhaps they need a little demonstration in sacred lemonade making?
