Showing posts with label darkness. Show all posts
Showing posts with label darkness. Show all posts
COVID-19 has affected the world in a way we have never seen before, causing many people to ask, “Where is God in all of this?” They continuously complain about everything from social distancing to travel restrictions, and some individuals feel as if God has abandoned them in the midst of their suffering. Some people are depressed and many have become fearful, even to the point of refraining from ordinary day-to-day activities. Others have embraced new ways of doing everyday things, opting for grocery delivery services and curbside pickup at retail stores. There are even families who have reinstated family dinners, taking advantage of extra quality time together. While some people have taken lemons and made lemonade, other people have a hard time walking into a business or doctor’s office seeing people wearing masks and other personal protective equipment, as it causes their anxiety levels to escalate to the point where their body involuntarily employs the physiological response known as fight or flight. Even now, as a large percentage of the world is under quarantine or stay-at-home orders, many people seem angry, discouraged, and confused. They do not know what to make of such widespread calamity going on around them.
For centuries, people have wondered why God would allow bad things to happen to good people. Ultimately, though, bad things have only happened to one good person in the history of humanity. Jesus Christ is the only good person to walk on the face of this earth. Jesus said, “‘There is only One who is good’” (Matt. 19:17 NLT). God sent His only Son, Jesus Christ, as a perfect sacrifice for the forgiveness of our sins. Romans 3:23 (NLT) says, “For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard.” Notice this verse does not say everyone, except for a few good people. It says everyone has sinned. Ecclesiastes 7:20 (NLT) says, “Not a single person on earth is always good and never sins.” By God’s standards, I am not a good person. You are not a good person. No one on earth is an inherently good person. Only through the grace of God can we become good enough to enter into God’s Kingdom.
We cannot rely on our own merit to achieve salvation. Good deeds cannot save you. Having a lucrative career cannot save you. Loving your friends or family cannot save you. Going to church cannot save you. Jesus said, “‘I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me’” (John 14:6 NLT). Jesus Christ is the only way to receive the gift of eternal salvation. You do not have to live in a state of confusion any longer. Do not let the problems of the world overwhelm you. Isaiah 50:10 (NLT) says, “If you are walking in darkness, without a ray of light, trust in the Lord and rely on your God.” Jesus Christ is the Light of the world, and He wants to give you the “light that leads to life,” if you will put your trust in Him as your Lord and Savior (John 8:12 NLT).
Perhaps you are going through a very dark time in your life, whether due to the pandemic or other causes. You may feel as if the walls are closing in around you, and you cannot see a way to escape from your dire circumstances. Although I do not know what you are going through, I can tell you that I have experienced my own share of trials. In the fall of 2018, the doctors at Mayo Clinic showed me disheartening MRI results, which showed a possible malignant tumor the width of my entire leg. They were discussing amputation, oncology, and other terms that no one ever wants to hear. Through this physical battle, I sat on my sofa at home, with the exception of visits to the hospital, for three months straight. During this time of sitting still, I was writhing in pain so severe that it elevated my heart rate and blood pressure to life-threatening levels. My dad and I were greatly discouraged, but we put our trust in Jesus Christ. Yes, we had many questions, but we could not dwell on the uncertainties of life. We had to focus our attention on the One who gives life. I thank God every day for restoring my health. He deserves all of the glory, honor, and praise.
I want to encourage you today. You may not understand why you have to climb over mile-high mountains or forge raging rivers, but I can tell you that God will help you through this pandemic and every other difficult situation that you face. Jesus said, “‘I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world’” (John 16:33 NLT). No matter what, remember that Jesus Christ will walk beside you, guiding you through each rough patch. Jesus Christ loves you more than you could ever imagine. Do not lose heart; He has already overcome every problem you will ever encounter. Instead of dwelling on the many questions of life, strive to “set your minds on things above” (Col. 3:2 NIV). When you focus on Jesus Christ, the tribulations in this world will fade out of view.
Although I cannot answer the question as to when the coronavirus pandemic will end, I can tell you where to find the answers to all of the questions plaguing your mind. Psalm 119:105 (NIV) says, “Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.” When we read God’s Word, He will show us the answers that we need. God wants to impart His wisdom, if we take time to listen to His still, small voice. May we all have a discerning heart and a listening ear when it comes to following the Lord’s leading, not just about the COVID-19 crisis, but in every aspect of our lives.
No organization, government, or religion has all of the answers. Jesus Christ is our only eternal hope. He is the Son of the only living God. Unlike this ever-changing world, He is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Heb. 13:8). He is not only the answer for today’s problems, but He is the answer for all of our tomorrows. Put your trust in Jesus Christ today!
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| Corrie Ten Boom Photo Courtesy of Corrie ten Boomhuis Foundation, Haarlem. |
Born to Dutch parents on April 15, 1892, Corrie grew up in the Netherlands as the daughter of a clock and watch shop owner, becoming a watchmaker herself in 1921. But she also grew up with something far more valuable than any acquired trade. Her parents were devout Christians, always helping others in need. Their desire to help others was so great that it ultimately resulted in their demise.
During the Holocaust, Corrie and her family housed individuals who were fleeing from the Nazi regime. Their home became a refuge, or Hiding Place1, for these people. Along with a safe haven, the house guests who benefited from their open house policy also received knowledge of the Gospel, a priceless gift compared to the meals they shared or the roof covering their heads.
Tragically, the Ten Booms were arrested along with 30 other people living in the house when they were betrayed. After they were transported to the concentration camp, Corrie was the sole survivor, freed on December 28, 1944, when the Ravensbrück Camp was liberated.
The Ten Boom family could not trust the person who betrayed them on this earth, but they put their complete trust in the One who would never fail them. Just as Corrie said, even in a dark tunnel, you do not jump off the train. You trust the one who is operating the controls. Corrie knew that God would watch over her, keeping her safe from harm. All she had to do was fully trust Him.
Proverbs 3:5-6 says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight.” Instead of turning her back on God through her personal suffering and the loss of her loved ones, Corrie Ten Boom embarked on a ministry journey, which began when she was 53 years old. For 33 years, she traveled to over 60 countries, sharing the Good News of the Gospel. She submitted her life to God, trusting that He would lead her and guide her. Through her ministry, many people came to know Jesus Christ as their personal Savior. All because she trusted God enough to completely give her life to Him.
What about you? Do you find it difficult to trust God in those moments when it feels as if you are stuck in a never-ending tunnel of darkness? Perhaps you are uncertain of your future, wondering where you should go or what you should do. As Corrie said, “Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God.” Trust God to bring you through the darkness and into the light. The Lord said, “‘I will turn the darkness into light before them and make the rough places smooth. These are the things I will do; I will not forsake them’” (Isaiah 42:16). If you put your trust in Him, the Lord will help you. He will be your constant friend and He will give you strength when you are weary.
People may disappoint you, but Jesus Christ will never fail you.
There is no tunnel too long or too dark where the love of Jesus Christ cannot reach you (Romans 8:38-39). Surrender your life to Christ Jesus. Call on the name of the Lord and you shall be saved (Romans 10:13). Jesus is the Light of the world. Jesus said, “‘Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life’” (John 8:12). Don’t live in darkness any longer. Put your trust in Jesus Christ today!
1The Hiding Place is the title of Corrie Ten Boom’s autobiography, written in 1971.
When I was a college student, I heard and saw a lot of
things. As a Christian, there were many
times that I chose to omit a reading assignment, simply because of my personal beliefs. Other than that, I was the studious student
who sat in the front row every day, always asking and answering questions,
eager to participate in the class as much as I possibly could without
dominating the conversation, which I am sure I often did. The professors loved having me in their class,
always complimenting me on my obvious love for knowledge. All of my hard work paid off when I achieved
a 4.0 GPA on my Master of Science degree, having completed all six years of
college with honors. Of course, I give
all of the praise and honor and glory to Jesus Christ, for without Him, I am
nothing. Without Him, I could not do
anything. But with God on my side, I can
do anything!
While my college career was primarily a positive one, there
was one assignment that I learned about in one of my education classes that
disturbed me. The professor said a worthwhile
assignment in an English class for middle or high school students would be to
have them write their obituary. As the
words spilled out of their mouth, I was shocked and horrified that this
professor would ask mere children and teenagers to write their own
obituary. How mortifying! I was greatly relieved when I learned that we
would not have to personally complete this exercise ourselves. And while I now understand the merit in the
assignment, I much prefer asking my students to write positive, upbeat poetry,
essays, and stories. Nevertheless, I do
think it is something we should not necessarily do, but we should all certainly
think about.
Now before you get bent out of shape like I was originally,
I do not want you to leave this blog or on the contrary, run and grab your pen
and paper to begin writing. Instead, I
want you to look at the way you are living your life. When you go to work, do you have a smile on
your face? Or is your face twisted up
into a sour expression? Do you greet
people in the checkout lane at the grocery store, or do you give them a
grimacing look because they got ahead of you in line by one millisecond? And when you go to church on Sunday, do you
have a smile on your face and greet everyone sweetly, only to get in the car on
the way home and complain about the pastor’s sermon being too long? Or do you go home and ponder what the pastor
said, reading your Bible and studying the scriptures more carefully to get ready
for the week ahead? You see, living life
isn’t just about getting up and going to work, eating dinner and going to bed,
just to repeat the process the next day.
Life should be about living.
When a teacher’s students are asked to write an obituary for
themselves, they must think about the way other people view their lives. How do people see them? What have they done that would be
remembered? And how have they treated
their family, their friends, their neighbors, coworkers, pastor, and even
strangers on the street? These are the
things people will remember. Most will
not even know if you remembered to feed the cat this morning, whether you came
to the annual Christmas party last year, or if you donated money to a charity
last month online. They are going to
remember how you act every single day of the year. They will remember how you carry yourself on
good days and bad. They will recall whether
or not you have a cheery disposition or a gloomy one. They will remember if you lived a life for
yourself or a life for Christ.
So the next time you are in the grocery store, be the person
who sees someone with fewer items in their cart and offer to allow them to skip
ahead of you in line. Be the individual
who smiles all of the time, regardless of what is going on around you. Be the person who people want to be
around. Not because of the clothes you
wear, the car you drive or the way you look, but because of the way you
act. Be the one who keeps their head
held high, grateful for each and every new day, rain or shine. Be the light in a world of darkness. Be the change this world needs. Let the joy of Jesus Christ shine forth in
such a way that it is contagious! Through
your Christ-like example, people will be reminded that life isn’t about
sweating the small stuff. Life is about
living.
In Christ’s Love,
Jennifer
Have you ever become frustrated while trying to unscrew the lid of a pickle jar or some other container? No matter how hard you try, you just can’t get a grip on the lid. Yesterday one of my friends was trying to remove the lid from a travel mug and finally decided to wait until she got home. We both agreed that one of those nifty rubber grippers we have in our home kitchens would likely do the trick. And of course, if all else fails, we can always rely on the assistance of the man of the house! In reality, life bears a striking resemblance to our attempts to get a grip on these various types of containers. In the same way we experience frustration while trying to unscrew a lid, there are times in life when we become frustrated due to the circumstances surrounding us, to the point of almost giving up. No matter what we do, there are moments when we simply cannot get a grip.
Whether it is a traffic jam on the way to work, a power outage right in the middle of dinner preparation, or a call from a telemarketer when you’ve just sat down to relax after a long day, there are always unforeseen things that happen to interrupt our otherwise routine schedule. Sometimes these interruptions, though often miniscule and unimportant, become blown out of proportion when we are dealt one on top of the other. It’s the same way with the pickle jar analogy. Even though unscrewing the lid off of a jar should not be a big ordeal, it can cause severe frustration if multiple attempts do not produce success. And while these daily interruptions like an unexpected phone call or an extra stop at a traffic light should not ruffle our feathers, there are times when all of the frustrations of the day and of life in general surmount to the point where we find it hard to keep things in perspective. Although it is often hard to keep our perspective, we need to focus on Jesus Christ. He is the Solid Rock on which we can stand, even in a world of uncertainty.
From the eleven o’clock news to the local newspaper, it becomes more difficult every day to come to terms with the troubling stories as they unfold right before our eyes. A father takes his own life and the life of his children. A prominent individual slanders the name of Jesus Christ. A drunk driver causes a tragic accident that kills innocent bystanders. Seeing all of the sorrow and pain in the world, it makes us wonder how this world can last even another day. Jesus said, “‘You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places’” (Matthew 24:6-7 NIV). But do not be discouraged! You see, He also said, “‘I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world’” (John 16:33 NIV). No matter what happens, there is hope in Jesus Christ.
What about you? Perhaps you are fighting a battle of your own. Maybe you are dealing with depression, feeling as if you cannot get a grip no matter how hard you try. Every day, you try to focus on the positive only to drift back to those negative thoughts of disappointment and despair. Or you may be struggling with an addiction, whether it is drugs, alcohol, cigarettes, or even an addiction with food that is the cause of your obesity. There may be moments when you feel that there is no point to trying to wean off of the habit, with the firm belief that you could never make a change. You could be sitting in the waiting room, wondering when your family member will finally get well enough to come home, having been in the hospital for days or weeks or months. It may seem like there has been no improvement and you wonder if they will make it through. Whatever you’re facing today, don’t lose hope. Jesus will help you cope with your circumstances. He will help you get a grip on your emotions, your health, and your life.
Friend, I want you to know that everything is going to be okay. I realize that life may seem hopeless. Your mind is likely filled with doubt, having struggled with something in your life to the point of complete and utter frustration. But even in the darkest of midnight, there is sunshine awaiting you. Jesus Christ is the Light in a world of darkness. Just like the times you’ve tried to grip the lid on a pickle jar, you might need some assistance. Don’t rely on your own strength to unscrew the lid. Rely on God, the One who created you in His image. Isaiah 40:29 (NIV) says, “He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.” Depend on Jesus Christ who loves you unconditionally. Whenever you’re frustrated to the point of wanting to throw the jar on the ground, or throw your life by the wayside, allow Him to be your strength when you are weary. Allow Him to help you handle life’s problems as they come your way. Allow Him to help you get a grip! Even when you feel like you’ll slip and fall, Jesus will always be there. Grip His hand tightly because He will never, ever let you go.
In Christ’s Love,
Jennifer
When I think of the phrase May Day, I do not solely think of the times when my Mom and I enjoyed such happy times together. I also think of the times in my life when I was venturing through a dark storm. There have been times when I felt I would drown in a sea of sorrow, due to the torrential rain pouring down upon me. You could liken my distress to the captain of a ship who has suffered a breach to the hull of their ship, striving to remain focused on getting the lifeboats launched and other emergency operations under way. Other times, I felt like a pilot who is flying in the darkest of night, with zero visibility, unable to control the plane due to the wind, rain, and hail falling down from the heavens above. Certainly, in a dire circumstance such as this, the pilot would immediately call out, without hesitation, “Mayday! Mayday! Mayday!”
While the distress signal “Mayday” is primarily used by mariners and aviators, the term would be quite appropriate for any sort of emergency. The term Mayday comes from the French venez m'aider, meaning “come help me” (Dictionary.com). Even though we do not have a radio on which to call for help, there is never a time that we cannot call on the name of Jesus Christ to help us. God’s Word says, “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear” (Hebrews 13:6 ESV). If you find yourself drowning in despair, call out to Him. If you are struggling to find a reason to get out of bed in the morning, ask Him to give you strength and purpose. If you feel like you are in a sinking ship, or if you feel that you are flying in a plane that is about to collide into the mountains ahead of you, call out to Jesus, saying, “Mayday! Mayday! Mayday!” Jesus Christ will answer your request, and come to help you.Personally, I feel a little like calling out, “Mayday,” myself right now. One week from today, I will be delivering the special music on Mother’s Day. Not only that, but I am singing one of my Mom’s favorite songs that I have written. My heart strings are being pulled in every direction. My mind is worried. Will I be able to sing on key? Will I cry in front of everyone? Will I forget the words, due to my distress? I have been calling on the name of Jesus to help me. When I am talking to our Heavenly Father, it seems like a hand rests upon my shoulder. I feel a sudden calm. It’s as if Jesus is saying to me, “I heard your distress call, my child. I’m here to help you. I know it will be difficult for you, but you can do it. I know you can. And I will be standing right beside you, holding your hand, guiding you all along the way.”
Jesus Christ does not desire for any of His children to experience fear, hopelessness, or despair. He does not want us to feel as though we are being drawn into a dark tunnel from which we will never escape. He wants us to see the light. Not just the light at the end of the tunnel, but the Light. Jesus said, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life” (John 8:12 ESV). Jesus is the Light of the entire world. He can take away the darkness that surrounds you. He can make the sun shine again. With Jesus on your side, the shipwrecks and plane crashes of life will seem less treacherous. The hurdles you are required to jump over will seem less strenuous. And when you feel the walls are closing in around you, He will be there to help you. Call on the precious name of Jesus. He will take your miserable Mayday nightmare and turn it into a beautiful May Day dream.
In Christ’s Love,
Jennifer
When I was a little girl, my two little brothers were born prematurely and passed away as infants. I am almost certain that this is why the first verse of my song touched my Mom’s heart in such a special way. As I sang the song repeatedly over the years, and even recorded it on my very first cassette, I was so humbled to see that it was ministering to people on so many levels. I enjoyed singing it, I thought the soundtrack was beautiful, and I knew the lyrics were anointed. Still, I could not personally identify with the lyrics of the song, having never been through such a dark time in my life. I had always been the one to smile, no matter what. I could always see a glimpse of sunshine, even behind the darkest storm cloud. Truth be told, I had not yet seen the darkest storm cloud at this time in my life.
I had witnessed the death of more close friends and loved ones than most people I knew had even been to funerals. Brothers, grandfathers, a grandmother, aunts, uncles, and other friends and relatives…so many loved ones going on to be with the Lord. But, even in the midst of the loss we experienced, my Mom, Dad, and I remained a close-knit Christian family. No matter what happened around us, we knew that the three of us would love and support each other through sunshine and rain. We were like the Three Musketeers. And I had faith that God would always keep us together, no matter what storms brewed overhead. On August 2, 2008, the darkest storm of my life came upon me as suddenly as a tornado can flatten an entire town. There was no warning, there were no goodbyes, and there was nothing my Dad or I could do to silence the violent storm.
Since that tragic night, God has spoken to my heart on several occasions. I still don’t have all of the answers. I don’t understand why my Mom is not nearby, waiting to read the next entry of my blog, a blog she never had the opportunity to read. And cannot tell you why my Dad and I are not living in this house as a family of five, my Mom and younger brothers still with us. What I do know is that God has a perfect plan for our lives. He walks with me in the sunshine and in the sunset. He holds my hand, whether I am climbing mountains, traversing a rocky terrain, or wading through a raging river. Psalm 23:4 (NIV) says, “Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.” I will not be afraid of what tomorrow may bring because I know that God will comfort me in all of my tomorrows. He gives me His perfect peace and He shines forth His light, even though the sun has set. And I know He will continue to bring forth the vibrant sunshine in my life once again, in His timing.A couple of weeks ago, I was asked to sing at my home church on Mother’s Day. For many singers, I am sure this would not be a problem. For me, it is another story. The moment I was asked, a red flag shot up. I thought, no…no, I can’t do that. I can happily sing any other Sunday, but not that one. I think the pastor must have seen the look in my eyes similar to a deer caught in the headlights, and he quickly asked if it would be too difficult for me. I’ll be honest with you. My first response would have been, yes, it would be virtually impossible for me to sing on Mother’s Day. And I am sure the pastor would have accepted this, and asked me to sing at another time. Yet, something tugged at my heart and immediately, I knew that this was something I must do.
As I told the pastor that I would sing, I pondered the song that I would share on this day on which we honor our mothers. So, I thought about what I would sing if my Mom could be in the congregation on this special occasion. And of course, the answer was simple. I would sing, “There’s Sunshine Awaiting You.” Now, I had not sung this song since my Mom’s funeral. So, I quickly began seeking God for a different answer other than the one I knew He had given. I mean, I couldn’t sing on Mother’s Day, much less sing this song. Have you ever had one of those moments when you thought, what is God thinking? Well, this was one of those moments for me. Since I was asked to sing, I have run through the song twice. The first time I ran through the song, I heard the lyrics in a new light. My song was ministering to me. I realized that I had been stuck in the sunset. And that is why I need to sing this song. Sure, when I stand up on the platform on that particular Sunday, I will likely blubber as I introduce the song and I am sure pitch will have a new meaning when I reach the song’s end. But, sometimes serving the Lord isn’t about eloquent speech or perfect pitch. Sometimes it’s simply about answer His call, no matter how difficult it seems.
Even when we’re stuck in the sunset, we have the assurance that there is sunshine awaiting us. Although it may seem unbearable at times, we need to be faithful to the One who created us. He will bring us to a place of rest, away from the storms of life that overwhelm us. The lyrics of my song speak about seeing a sunset that seems forever, and how difficult it is to face grief and pain. This sunset that you find yourself in may seem long-lasting, but it is not forever. When you reach the lowest, darkest valley, God will bring you to your knees. When you cannot go on one more mile, God will carry you through each and every storm. If you find yourself stuck in the sunset, rest assured that there’s sunshine awaiting you.In Christ’s Love,
Jennifer