We are at the point of counting down by days rather than weeks – 25 days till departure. There are days when I wake up and for a moment think to myself, I’m not going to go. Usually this has more to do with the fact that I don’t even want to get out of bed that morning to face the day, let alone think about traveling so far from home. The irrational thought of cancelling the expensive flight that has already been purchased quickly disappears as my fears are replaced with excitement. I have the opportunity to serve God – whether it be in Ghana or here in New Jersey, it is something to be excited about. God promises to never leave us nor forsake us. Therefore, fear disappears.
“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” (Isaiah 41:10)
Fear disappears as God fills us with peace in the knowledge and assurance of His faithfulness. The past week and a half has been difficult and full of questions, some of which have no answers. Our human nature always tries to provide rational reasons for life’s events, especially the tragedies. We are not comfortable with the fact that we are less in control of life than we realize. I am a very independent person by nature – I don’t like to depend on others or ask for help. However, reality sets in and points to the difficult yet comforting fact that I am not my own. God forces us to our knees and asks us to depend on Him – He is our refuge and strength (Psalm 46:1). Despite life’s uncertainties, I can trust that my life is in His hands.
In the midst of all the thoughts and fears and questions of this past week as our community mourned the death of a saint, but also in looking back and reflecting on other times of struggle and pain, three words keep popping into my head – faith, hope, love. I have come to love these words. For me, they capture the heart and soul of the Gospel. When everything seems to be crashing down around me, when it feels like the rain never stops pouring down, when life just doesn’t make sense…but even when we are overwhelmed with the incredible blessings in life, when our hearts are full of joy, when we feel as though we are standing on top of the mountain, “these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love” (I Corinthians 13:13).
“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” (Isaiah 41:10)
Fear disappears as God fills us with peace in the knowledge and assurance of His faithfulness. The past week and a half has been difficult and full of questions, some of which have no answers. Our human nature always tries to provide rational reasons for life’s events, especially the tragedies. We are not comfortable with the fact that we are less in control of life than we realize. I am a very independent person by nature – I don’t like to depend on others or ask for help. However, reality sets in and points to the difficult yet comforting fact that I am not my own. God forces us to our knees and asks us to depend on Him – He is our refuge and strength (Psalm 46:1). Despite life’s uncertainties, I can trust that my life is in His hands.
In the midst of all the thoughts and fears and questions of this past week as our community mourned the death of a saint, but also in looking back and reflecting on other times of struggle and pain, three words keep popping into my head – faith, hope, love. I have come to love these words. For me, they capture the heart and soul of the Gospel. When everything seems to be crashing down around me, when it feels like the rain never stops pouring down, when life just doesn’t make sense…but even when we are overwhelmed with the incredible blessings in life, when our hearts are full of joy, when we feel as though we are standing on top of the mountain, “these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love” (I Corinthians 13:13).
1 comment:
thank you for your excellent words jill.
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