"Why?"

There's so much going on right now that I don't understand.  Situations within my personal life, my extended family and friends, and even in our country.  And I think it's safe to say that most folks go through seasons where they find themselves asking, "Why?".

"Why did I lose my job?"

"Why haven't I found love?"

"Why did I have that accident?"

"Why didn't I get into the school I really had my heart set on?"

"Why did so-and-so get sick?"

The list of 'WHY?" questions is endless, and I apologize: I do not have any answers.

What you and I do have is a truth we can hold onto that will get us through.

No matter how hard, unfair, or heartbreaking a situation is, we can all shift our focus beyond this present struggle and find comfort, hope, and healing for our hearts in this Bible verse:

Romans 8:18 "Our present sufferings are insignificant compared to the glory that will soon be revealed to us."

What? God says our suffering is insignificant? My mom passed away, and it was HORRIBLE, and God says it's of no consequence and unimportant?

Yes, He does say that but only because when compared to the AWESOMENESS that awaits, it really does not matter.

Let me say it this way.  My mom died and I have not had the pleasure of her company for almost 26 years, but because she is with Jesus, and because sooner or later that GLORY will head my way, I will have the pleasure of her company FOREVER! Once I am hopscotching  from planet to planet with her and enjoying Cuban coffee  -  her favorite  -  by the Milky Way, it really won't matter.

Insert your own struggle...

Maybe it's..."I have been sick for so long and I am weary, but because GLORY will head my way, I will have the blessing of PERFECT HEALTH FOREVER!"

Or..."Love has seemed to bypass me on this earth, but because GLORY will head my way, I will be loved perfectly by my Lord, FOREVER!"

What about..."I lost my job, and I lost my house, but because GLORY will head my way, I will live in  the best mansion in the sky FOREVER!"

There is not one heartache or injustice that will ever be so powerful that the GLORY cannot heal.

PRAYER: Dear Lord, Thank You for the promise of Glory.  It's what gets us through this life.  Help us have the right perspective in our suffering.  Keep our eyes on the bigger picture, which is You.  In Jesus' name, AMEN.

  

Later You Will Understand~

John 13:7 Jesus replied, "You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand."

I am an insanely curious person.  I like to know why things happened, where they happened, and what happened.  I like knowing stuff and learning new stuff, and if I’m watching TV and a name pops up that I recognize I will immediately go to the internet and do some research.  Just recently I got up to speed on Scott Baio.  Those of you who lived through the 1970s will recognize the name!

The point is I like to know…and yet there are so many things I do not know and do not understand.  Why is there so much suffering?  How can it be that there are millions upon millions of subscribers to websites dedicated to helping someone cheat on their spouse? Why do so many people get away with such bad behavior?  Why do children get sick? Why do good children happen to bad parents and no children happen to good parents?  Why does God allow XYZ…?

Sometimes the amount of unanswered questions is maddening; there are so many things I DO NOT UNDERSTAND.  But Jesus assures us that one day we will understand.  In the meantime, what are we to do?

The Bible states that our goal should be getting to know God.  Having all the answers will not lead to eternal life, peace, and hope, but knowing Him will (see John 17:3).

One way we get to know Him is by spending time in His presence through prayer.

PRAYER: Dear Lord, It is sometimes overwhelming to see all the crazy stuff happening around us, and there is so much we don’t understand.  One day we will have answers, but for now we focus our attention on You.  We shift our thoughts from all that confuses us to You.  We purposely meditate on Your goodness and on Your promises that You are with us helping us every day.  In Jesus’ name, AMEN~

A New Perspective~

My dearest brothers and sisters, Thank you for your patience these past few weeks while I have been away. I was busy as a bee preparing for Rachel's wedding, but it was truly a beautiful and sacred experience. I will share pictures soon. But for now, let's re-focus on what is most important: Our relationship with Christ. That is the only thing that lasts forever, and it deserves our loving care and attention. And even though I haven't written in a while, I did take many notes for DEVO topics, and I am eager to share these insights with you. Today's DEVO was inspired by Joni Tada. I have never met this amazing woman, but you all have heard about her before because she is one of my faith heroes. The morning of Rachel's wedding, amidst all the controlled chaos, I took a moment to read an email she sent, and it changed my perspective forever. These are her words... Suppose you're walking down a street when suddenly you're forced to carry a huge and heavy basket on your back. You're ordered to walk three blocks, turn left, go two blocks, turn right, then proceed straight on. Staggering under the weight, you stumble on, bewildered and angry. The whole thing is meaningless and crazy. When you are halfway down the third block, you finally scream, "What gives?!" The truth is then revealed. The burden you are carrying is your child, injured and unconscious. "Whaaaaat?" On top of all that, you discover you are not walking aimlessly around, but you are actually taking the most direct route to a hospital emergency room. Immediately you straighten up. Adrenaline and fresh energy quicken your pace and you move forward with a new attitude. Why the change? The suffering you're going through involves a relationship. Not just any relationship, but one with your child. Your relationship gives your burden meaning. Even your twisted path makes sense. You know where you are going. Your journey has a positive end -- the hospital -- and this instills hope. Suffering has no meaning in itself. Left to its own, it is a frustrating and bewildering burden. But given the context of relationship, suffering suddenly has meaning. ___________________________________ Right now, dear one, that "burden" you have been carrying can either weigh you down, or you can give it purpose by carrying it toward the Lord in prayer. You can allow yourself to become crushed under the weight of it, or you can purposely aim in the direction of where the healing is and find new meaning. Every single time we pray we are taking a step in the right direction. Every prayer brings us and the one we are carrying in prayer closer to the place of healing and hope. We may not always know or understand the route we are on, but if we can focus on that finish line, we will be renewed. I have a new appreciation for this verse: Isaiah 40:31 "But those who wait for the Lord--who expect, look for, and hope in Him--shall renew their strength and power; they shall lift their wings and mount up close to God as eagles mount up to the sun; they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint or become tired." PRAYER: Dear Lord, We are the kind of folks who hope in You. We look to You to renew our strength. Thank You that our suffering and our burdens have meaning and purpose, and thank You that as we pray, those we pray for as well we ourselves get closer to You. In Jesus' name, AMEN~