1 Peter 1:3-7

1 Peter 1:3-7
Contemporary English Version (CEV)

  Just take a moment and read that over again, and see if it doesn't bring a smile to your face and a joy to the depths of your heart.  God has given you new life and an eternal hope, and there is something stored up for you in heaven, and nothing can damage this gift.  It's like a Christmas present your parents have stored for you, saving it for the perfect day, desiring to bring you joy.  There has been a plan in the works for a long time so that you might discover joy beyond joy, grace beyond grace, peace beyond peace and life everlasting.
  Now, to get to that place, there may be some tough sledding.  It won't always be easy -- it may be hot and uncomfortable, to the point that we may wonder if God has abandoned or forsaken us.  Just as the gold wonders what the refiner is doing, just as the seed may wonder what the farmer is doing, we may not understand the trials that lead to new life.
  But we are called to endure, to press on, to trust in God that on the other side of the trial is everlasting and abundant life.  We see that Christ endured the cross to win eternal victory for us, and so we stay the course, enduring what comes our way, confidant in the presence and love of God to lead us to a richer and better place.