Showing posts with label sorrow. Show all posts
Showing posts with label sorrow. Show all posts
Personally, I have found that the new school year has brought about a lot of positive changes for me as a teacher. I am most excited about having a new classroom, which is the biggest change I have encountered this school year. I am so blessed and I thank God for this amazing environment in which to teach my students. I know the resources I have been given will enable me to help them achieve their goals. I have an awesome group of students this year and I am enjoying the addition of a new course that I will be teaching, Digital Design. God has truly shown me favor and I know that this school year will be blessed beyond measure! Of course, it still seems like the alarm clock goes off way too early in the morning and there are never enough hours in the day! But I know the weekends and holidays throughout the year will provide us with the chance to rejuvenate ourselves and before we know it, summer vacation will return once again.
While I am enjoying a good year, I have several friends who began the school year with illnesses, financial crises, and even the loss of loved ones. My heart hurts for them and I pray that God will give them strength to face each new day ahead. Having lost my mom at the beginning of August five years ago, I know what it’s like to have your heart broken and then be expected to continue teaching as if nothing had changed. The meaning of life gets construed and things that once mattered seem to dwindle and things that never mattered seem to escalate out of proportion. But through it all, I know that God is faithful. While I still miss my mom greatly and I know that life will never be the same again, I have the calm assurance that I will see her again. And I strive to enjoy each and every moment to the fullest. Life is fragile and I know how important it is to cherish the ones we love every single day. Even in the darkest nights of life’s journey, the Son of God shines bright. He lights our path and gives us strength when we are weary. He gives us joy when we feel no joy can be found.
Perhaps you are going through a personal struggle this month. No matter what is bothering you at this very moment, Jesus Christ knows exactly what you are going through. Call on His precious name. Ask Him for a new beginning. Not one that will be frightening, as it may be for students finding their way around a new campus, but a new beginning that will renew your strength, restore your joy, and bring you hope everlasting. Jesus is the friend who will stand by your side forever. He loves you so much that He gave His life for you. Don’t sit there drowning in your sorrows. Stand tall and reach out to Jesus. Grab on to that new life that He is holding out for you! 2 Corinthians 5:17 (NIV) says, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” Ask Jesus Christ to guide you through all of the hard times and the good ones too. If you put your trust in Him, you will not only experience a new beginning, but you will receive a new life as well!
In Christ’s Love,
Jennifer
Have you ever wondered why Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world, rode into town on a donkey more than two thousand years ago? There was no champion thoroughbred, no luxurious chariot…just a donkey. The King of Kings entered Jerusalem on the back of a donkey just for you and me. He did it to carry out His Father’s plan that included a difficult journey from the cross to the grave. This journey of love began with a triumphant entry and transformed into a sorrowful crucifixion. Think about how Jesus must have felt, riding a donkey, knowing all the while that He would be crucified by the very people His Father created. One day, they were waving palm branches as He rode into town. A few days later, they would be waving their fists, shouting, “Crucify Him!” And to think, it all started on a donkey.
I wonder if Jesus ever questioned, “A donkey???” Did He ever think, “Come on, Father, you’ve got to be kidding?” Surely there must have been the slightest bit of hesitation when the Savior of the world was being asked to ride into town on a borrowed donkey. While Jesus may have never questioned this minor detail, I am sure that my often outspoken, human self would have had something to say about that. I know there are times in my life when I wonder why God gives me a donkey, so to speak, when I have requested a faster and more comfortable mode of transportation. Sometimes, God does not hand us exactly what we want on a silver platter. Instead, He gives us the things we need. Rather than giving us a “fast pass” through life, He wants us to trust Him to provide what we need when we need it. And Jesus Christ trusted His Father completely.Jesus knew that God would only ask Him to do what He could realistically accomplish. Although He may have questioned the events relating to His crucifixion, He remained steadfast in His love for His Father, fulfilling His Father’s plan. Even unto death, Jesus carried out the will of God. Jesus knew that He was the only Perfect Sacrifice. He knew that a world without His crucifixion meant that all would be lost forevermore. He knew that you and I needed a Savior. As the old song says, “He could have called ten thousand angels, but He did it all for you and me.” He knew He could not back out at the last minute…to do so would have changed the world for eternity. And in effect, it would have put an end to the notion of eternity for you and me. If Jesus had not trusted His Father, there would be no way for us to have our sins washed away and there would be no means of getting into Heaven. If He had not given His life for us, the end of our life on this earth would literally be just that - the end.
Thanks to God’s amazing love for us, and the love His Son Jesus has for us, we have hope for eternity. If you have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, you will live forever. John 3:16 (ESV) says, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” Jesus doesn’t want us to live without hope. He doesn’t want us to see death as the ill-awaited doomsday of our life. And He doesn’t want us to fear the future. Instead, He wants us to cherish the time we have on this earth, all the while, joyfully awaiting the moment we walk into Heaven’s gates. He wants us to believe that He is the Son of the Living God. If you believe this to be true, you will not die, but live. I Thessalonians (NIV) says, “He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him.” Jesus wants to walk beside you on this earth, and when your earthly life is over, He wants you to live with Him in Heaven. If you have asked Jesus to be the Lord of your life, you have a life filled with hope. You have the hope of eternity.
So, the next time you see a donkey, think about the animal that, over two thousand years ago, carried the King of Kings upon its back. And the next time you wonder why God chose a donkey, take a closer look at the donkey’s back. I know that God, the Creator of this hard-working creature, must have seen the significance in the design upon its back: a cross. Since the beginning of time, God knew that His only Son would ride upon a donkey on His journey to Calvary’s cross. He knew that His only Son would die for every man, woman, boy, and girl. And yes, He knew that some people would love Him, and He knew that others would reject Him. He knew that the name of Jesus would be praised and adored, and other times, this holy name would be criticized and mocked. Yet, He did it all, just for you and me. Jesus Christ loves you unconditionally. Will you love Him in return?In Christ’s Love,
Jennifer
("A Donkey" was originally published April 17, 2011.)
A couple of weeks ago, I purchased four sympathy cards for four different families who had lost loved ones. There’s something a little unnerving and very sad about buying four sympathy cards in the same day. As I stood there reading the verses in the cards, I wondered how those overly repeated words could possibly have any meaning at such a difficult time in these families’ lives. Still, I hoped the thoughts and prayers being tucked inside the card would bring some form of comfort to their broken hearts.
That same week, we said goodbye to a family friend who was an elder in our church and first and foremost, a dear man of God. Earlier this spring, I attended the memorial service for a fourteen year old girl. Several friends have lost parents and other loved ones in recent months, while others are battling cancer and other illnesses. And one thing I’ve noticed is that age doesn’t make a difference, ethnic background doesn’t play a part, and socioeconomic status is not a variable either. No one is immune to death any more than they are immune to life.
Ecclesiastes 3:2 (NIV) says, there is “a time to be born and a time to die.” As Christians, the Bible tells us that we do not have to grieve as those who have no hope (I Thessalonians 4:13 NIV). Instead, we should rejoice because the end of our life on this earth is the beginning of something far greater. For if we have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, this world is just a waiting room, a temporary resting place, on our journey to our eternal home. While some people may regard Earth as paradise, others do not find that it fits this description.
My dad often tells a profound story he heard on the radio broadcast of Dr. J. Allen Blair. A man had lived for the Lord all of his life and was lying upon his death bed. One of his friends sitting beside him said, “‘Farewell, brother. I shall never see you again in the land of the living.’” The dying man said, “‘You will see me again in the land of the living, for I am leaving the land of the dying.’” You see, this man knew that this world is not a permanent dwelling place. He knew there was something better waiting on the other side.
In the meantime, we need to enjoy life. We need to embrace our family more, tell them we love them more, and spend time with them more. We need to live more fully, laugh more heartily, and love more deeply. I can tell you from experience, you will never regret an extra kind word spoken. You will never be able to take too many photographs of someone dear to you. And you will never feel like you spent too much time with someone you love. Cherish life and never let a day go by without thanking God for another sunrise, another memory, another breath.
Live life like you are on a trip to somewhere you’ve never been but have always dreamed of going. Don’t let the trials you face in life steal your joy. The life we live down here may be full of heartache, sorrow, and despair. But where we are going is full of jubilation and peace forevermore. God’s Word tells us that we cannot comprehend what God has in store for us. It is truly beyond the limits of our imagination. And one day, when we have fought the good fight and finished our race, we will step through those gates of pearl and enter into the presence of the Lord God Almighty. This, my friend, is when we will finally realize that we have been living in the land of the dying. But we’re going to the land with no tears, no pain, and no death. That’s Heaven. That’s the Land of the Living.
In Christ’s Love,
Jennifer
Several weeks ago, I was
huddled under the awning on our deck in the Great Smoky Mountains. The rain was falling rapidly from the clouds,
the thunder echoed through the mountains, and the lightening flashed brightly
in the evening sky. Directly across from
our deck, there is a breathtakingly beautiful mountain stream. Cascading down into the stream is a gorgeous
waterfall. Even in the midst of a fierce
and somewhat frightening mountain thunderstorm, the beauty surrounding the area
remains truly indescribable.
In life, there are many types
of mountain-sized storms. There are the
physical ones that we can see and hear.
In these storms, we can readily seek shelter from the rain and wind. Through the wisdom God has imparted to the
men and women manning the weather stations, we often receive advance warning
that a severe storm is approaching our area, giving us time to adequately
prepare, which improves our safety in the midst of the storm. Other times, we are not so fortunate. Sometimes, there is not enough warning.
A close family friend once
shared her experience as she and her family lived to tell the tale of the
nightmarish storm named Hurricane Andrew that swept through Miami,
Florida. She told us how she and her
family huddled in the bathtub, praying and hoping they would all survive the
howling winds, the torrential rain, and the endless debris. As their roof and the walls of their home
were stripped away from the foundation, they wondered if they would survive. As the storm moved on, it only left one thing
behind: the bathtub. Though everything
they owned was either destroyed or blown away, they were alive. Their family had been spared. God had granted them safety in the storm.
Sometimes, even the knowledge
that a storm is in the area cannot prepare us for the devastation that lies
ahead. A hurricane can be too fierce, a
tornado can come upon us too suddenly, a tsunami can overtake us before we have
time to evacuate… Much like these
physical storms, there are also emotional and mental storms that we must
endure. And much like the aforementioned
physical storms, there is not always adequate warning with regard to when and
where these storms will strike.
At the age of sixteen years
old, I went into my closet to change clothes.
My dad and I were preparing to go see my mom who was in the
hospital. I felt a piercing pain in my
side. Within a few short hours, I was
lying on an operating table, having been diagnosed with a perforated colon and
peritonitis. If the doctors had not
operated immediately and if my parents had not prayed for my healing, I might
not have lived through the night.
My parents were very
concerned and prayed diligently that the Lord would spare my life. I remember my words to them as I was about to
be rolled into the operating room. I
told them that I loved them and that God would make sure everything was
alright. Even in the midst of this storm,
I had assurance that God would make it right.
I knew that His promise in Romans 8:28 was true.
All
things work together for good to those who love God and are called according to
His purpose. Romans 8:28
As I sit here today, fourteen
years later, I can still tell you with calm assurance that everything will be
okay. Since that time, I have weathered
many more storms, some of which have been much more ferocious. The night my mom had a heart attack was one
of the most violent storms I have ever faced.
Each time I walk in our living room in our camper in the mountains, I am
reminded of the horrors of that night.
For several years, I have questioned why God would take her at such a
young age, and why He would allow it to happen there, at our beautiful place in
the mountains. How could something so
tragic occur in such a magnificent and peaceful setting?
While I do not have all of
the answers, I have come to realize that these questions are not
important. Instead, I am beginning to
realize that instead of avoiding this place I used to love, I need to embrace
it. Rather than dwelling on one single
night, I need to focus on the fifteen years that we have spent in the midst of
these majestic mountain landscapes. I
need to be grateful for the memories that we have made there and enjoy making
new memories each and every day that God allows us to be in the midst of His
awe-inspiring Creation.
Why? Because even through my uncertainty, even
through the storm that swept through my life nearly four years ago, and even
through my emotional ups and downs relating to this place I find both peaceful
and unsettling, God knows me and loves me without fail. In every moment I feel ill at ease there, He
loves me. In every moment that I
question Him, He loves me. In every
moment I just need to feel loved, He loves me.
Friend, I want to encourage
you and remind you that God loves you, too, with an absolute love that has no
end. God will take everything that has
happened in your life and use it for your good.
You may not understand it yet.
Perhaps you are still spinning around in a tornado of emotions, or maybe
you are inundated by a flood of sorrowful tears. No matter what storm you are facing, God is
standing with you. He will ensure that
you make it safely to the sunshine once more, where you will be able to enjoy
the beauty surrounding you. Though the
thunder may roll, the lightening may flash, and the rain may fall, God will be
your Shelter from the storm.
In Christ's Love,
Jennifer
I’ve always had a soft spot in my heart for furry little animals that need a home. Whether it is a dog’s tail wagging happily as she takes me for a walk (yes, you read that correctly, takes me!), or if it is the soothing sound of a cat purring as he lays beside me on the sofa, I am a pushover for these friendly creatures that God put on this earth. I guess you could say the real testament to my love for animals would be the fact that I currently have three cats, a dog, a rabbit, and two pygmy goats. There’s just something unexplainably wonderful about a four-legged animal that snuggles up against me and loves me unconditionally, no matter what.
It was just a couple of years ago that my youngest cat came to live with us. I adopted this particular cat when he was barely even weaned from his mother. The previous owner could not support all of the kittens in the litter and decided to go ahead and give them away to the first homes they could find. Just as you suspected, I was one of the first to respond. There was something about this particular kitten’s face that said, “You need me and I need you.” Pretty convincing, since we now have each other!
When we first got this cat, he would climb up the side of everything (even humans!), just like a monkey. And so, the name stuck. “Monkey,” as we affectionately call him, has essentially decided that I am his mother. He presses his head up against my hand, unwilling to back away. He purrs continuously, and like most people, thoroughly enjoys a full body massage. Still, there is one thing that he does not like. He does not like the moment when I must resume my daily responsibilities and leave his company. The moment I walk away from him, he is crushed. I’m telling you the truth! Every time, without fail, he howls in sadness that our “playtime” has ended for now. He just can’t bear the thought of being apart from me, even for a moment. The very notion of being out of my sight is heartbreaking for him.
This evening, as we concluded our daily routine of him pushing against me and me giving him a massage, he howled as I left his sight, just as he had so many times before. As I walked away and listened to his sorrowful cries, I thought of how much our Heavenly Father loves us and just how much He is grieved when one of His children leaves His embrace. Amazingly, though, Jesus continues to love us, whether we acknowledge Him or not. If we spend time with Him, He loves us. And in those times when we’re just “too busy” and do not have time for Him, Jesus Christ never once stops loving us.
Think about it. Jesus Christ loves you and me unconditionally. That means He loves us, no questions asked. He loves every single person on this planet: parents, grandparents, children, and grandchildren. He loves the drug addict, the alcoholic, the murderer. Jesus Christ does not discriminate. It doesn’t matter who you are or where you came from, Jesus Christ loves you. When you are running late for work and do not have time to say, “Good morning, Lord,” Jesus still loves you without fail. If you spend your evening watching television, leaving no time for reading His Word, He still loves you. Even if you have gone astray, whether for days, months, or years, Jesus loves you unconditionally, as though you had never even left His side. God’s Word says that there is not one thing in God’s Creation that “will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:39 ESV). Nothing can come between you and the perfect love of Jesus.
Just like my cat named Monkey, Jesus Christ longs for us to stay at His side, so that we can live a life of true joy that is only found in Him. He loves hearing the voice of His children. He loves embracing us in His fatherly arms. He longs to have us hold his hand as we journey down the road of life, just as a child would hold the hand of their father. Why? Because we are loved by the One who forgives our sins, forgets our past, and forever loves each of us with a fervent, absolute love that has no end.
In Christ’s Love,
Jennifer
Think back to the most memorable summers in your lifetime. What is the one experience that truly stands out? Perhaps it was one of those rare moments when you had the luxury of sitting on your grandmother’s porch swing, sipping ice cold lemonade and indulging in her famous double chocolate chip cookies. Or maybe it was when you had the chance to go fishing with your dad, enjoying his undivided attention. Your most memorable summer may even be the very first time you were blessed with the opportunity to take your own children to Walt Disney World. Whatever your summer memories, I am sure there are times when summer was the best season of the year. And there are likely times when summer was the most difficult season to muddle through. This summer, focus on the dreams that God has for your life. Surround yourself with summer joys.
When I was a little girl, I fondly recall the times when I would have the privilege of riding with my Papa Joe and Grandma Ethel in their blue and white pick-up truck. On the way to town, Papa Joe and I would sing the song, “In the Good ‘Ole Summertime,” at the top of our lungs. There was nothing like sitting in the cab of that pick-up, feeling the breeze on my face with the window rolled down, and feeling the warmth of the sunlight as we drove down the little country road. Since then, the truck has been sold and Papa Joe and Grandma Ethel have gone on to be with the Lord. Still, the memories will be with me forever and I am thankful for these summer memories.
Other summer joys I clearly recall are the times my mom, dad, and I were able to spend with my Grandma Lucille and Papa Sig at their condominium in Fort Myers. Whether combing the beach for seashells, building a giant sandcastle, or swimming in the Gulf waters, we always had such wonderful family time together. I first learned to swim in the condo’s pool. And I will always remember the last day of each visit, when we would have to each eat an ice cream bar, a glass of orange juice, a handful of fruit, and countless other things, due to the fact that we had all stocked up way too many groceries for our stay there. Since then, the condo has been purchased by someone else and Papa Sig has gone on to be with the Lord. Many things change from year to year, but I am happy that I can hang on to these memorable moments.
All of my life, my parents and I have always enjoyed a summer vacation (or more than one!). We have so many memories, as well as thousands of photographs documenting each and every moment. Whether we were visiting relatives in Virginia, exploring the Great Smoky Mountains, or sailing the Caribbean waters on a cruise, we always enjoyed spending time with each other. Even now, my dad and I enjoy traveling during the summer. We find summer joys on land and on the sea, and even in the air. Still, summers are not quite the same without my mom here with us. Yet, I am thankful for the summer joys that God continues to give us, as well as the fond memories we have of summers past.
Although I am grateful for the summer blessings that God has bestowed upon me, I cannot help but think about the absence of my mom. In particular, the month of August is especially difficult for me. And our camper in North Carolina is not what it used to be. You see, my mom passed away unexpectedly in our camper, while we were on vacation on August 2, 2008. I have prayed and searched the pages of God’s Word for peace concerning this date and location, yet there are still moments when I do not have complete focus on August 2. And there are times when I cannot bring myself to sit on the sofa in our camper. Even so, I know that God has given me victory over these things. He wants me to enjoy life, no matter what day it is and no matter where I am. He loves me unconditionally. He wants me to live a life full of joy.
What about you? Are there summers that you look back on with pleasure or disappointment? Or are there summers when something caused you to lose sight of the good things and solely focus on the bad? Maybe there is a particular location or a certain date that you find difficult, even though it previously brought you joy. John 16:24 (NIV) says, “Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete.” Don’t let the sorrowful summers get you down. Ask Jesus to help you overcome these difficult memories and enjoy making new ones. Spend time with your family and friends. Cherish each and every moment this summer. Let go of the summer sorrows. Let Jesus surround you with summer joys.
In Christ’s Love,
Jennifer
Sitting here across from a gorgeous waterfall, I cannot help but wonder why God’s peace often seems so far away. Looking up through the trees, I see evidence of new growth sprouting forth from every limb. Spring is here. A new beginning. Yet, I feel that I am trapped, unable to fully sense the complete beauty of God’s budding creation all around me. There once was a time when I considered this to be the most peaceful place on earth. Nearly three years ago, in the blink of an eye, it transformed into one of the most disturbing places on earth, at least in my mind. Since that night, I have been praying diligently for a new perspective, a new set of eyes that allow me to see the peaceful beauty, as opposed to the images of the most difficult night of my life.
Since that horrific night, I have had countless nightmares recounting the details of that frightful experience. For me, returning to our camper in North Carolina could be likened to returning to the scene of an accident. Only in this case, there was no accident. Still, the images of the night seem as if they will be forever etched into my permanent memory bank. When I sit on our sofa, I think of that night. When I walk over to our neighbors, I think of that night. When I stand anywhere inside or outside our camper, I think of that night.
The moment my Mom sat up, her eyes staring straight ahead, my heart fell to the pit of my stomach. I cried out, “Mama! Don’t leave us!” I prayed, “Jesus, bring her back to us.” On the phone to 911, I pleaded with them to hurry. I ran next door to get our neighbor, so my Dad would have help administering CPR. I did everything I could do. But no matter what I did, nothing changed.
That night, my Dad and I sang the most difficult song we have ever sung as a duet. We sang the song, “Living by Faith,” to my Mom. Undoubtedly, the hardest song I have ever sung. Yet, somehow, even in the midst of the circumstance, the words brought a little comfort to my sorrowful soul. While I could not have answered any questions concerning our future on that particular night, I knew that we would press on, entering the future with our heads held high. And all the while, we would be living by faith.
As we stood outside the camper in the wee hours of the morning, we called our immediate family. When I looked out toward the mountains, I could see the silhouette of the mountain in the distance. God brought to mind the scripture that says, “I will lift up my eyes to the hills-where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth” (Psalm 121:1-2 NIV). Even in the darkest hour of my life, God’s presence surrounded me. He knew that I needed His loving arms wrapped around me, holding me up when I could not stand on my own two feet. And He sent little reminders of His promise to never leave nor forsake me, even in the bleakest of nights.
Still, I am human, so the trauma of the night began taking its toll on me. It was after 4 o’clock in the morning before I finally laid my head down on the pillow. I had no intention of sleeping, but I had no desire to keep reliving the last five hours over and over in my mind either. That night, something happened that I will never ever forget. I had gradually fallen asleep, but was awakened by what I thought was someone entering my room. I turned to look, but did not see my Dad. It was as if my Mom was standing there with a glow about her. She simply said, “It’ll be alright.” And just as quickly as the vision had appeared, the image vanished. While I didn’t know it then, I have since realized that yes, it will be alright. How? I don’t know. When? Only God knows that. Even so, I have the assurance that God will be with me, whether He is guiding me through nightmares or dreams, or sorrows or joys, or tears or laughter.
Now, three years later, I see things with a slightly different perspective on life. For this, I am grateful. Still, there are other things that I seem to be looking at with the same pair of eyes. It is my prayer that one day God will give me a new pair of eyes, so to speak, so that I can once again clearly see the peacefulness that permeates our mountain home. I want to be able to find a new sense of enjoyment at this beautiful location He has so graciously allowed us to call our second home. I hope that I will one day be able to solely focus on the fond memories, as opposed to the devastating ones. I know that God will continue to work in my life, as He has done so many times before, molding me and shaping me into the person He wants me to be. And in His timing, I know He’ll give me a new set of eyes, so that I can see the beauty all around me once again.
What about you? Are you struggling with nightmares of the past? Do you find yourself dwelling over a tragic event in your life? Is it hard to find peace or joy, despite your many attempts to gain a new perspective on life? Friend, I am here to tell you that there is only One individual who can guide you through the treacherous storms you may face. Jesus Christ is the Shelter from the storms. He will calm your fears, erase your sorrow, and restore your joy. If you are looking for a new set of eyes, call out to Jesus. He is waiting with open arms. He wants you to enjoy life. He wants you to live a life full of joy. He will cleanse your soul, renew your mind, and yes, He will give you a new set of eyes, too.
In Christ’s Love,
Jennifer
Have you ever wondered why Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world, rode into town on a donkey more than two thousand years ago? There was no champion thoroughbred, no luxurious chariot…just a donkey. The King of Kings entered Jerusalem on the back of a donkey just for you and me. He did it to carry out His Father’s plan that included a difficult journey from the cross to the grave. This journey of love began with a triumphant entry and transformed into a sorrowful crucifixion. Think about how Jesus must have felt, riding a donkey, knowing all the while that He would be crucified by the very people His Father created. One day, they were waving palm branches as He rode into town. A few days later, they would be waving their fists, shouting, “Crucify Him!” And to think, it all started on a donkey.I wonder if Jesus ever questioned, “A donkey???” Did He ever think, “Come on, Father, you’ve got to be kidding?” Surely there must have been the slightest bit of hesitation when the Savior of the world was being asked to ride into town on a borrowed donkey. While Jesus may have never questioned this minor detail, I am sure that my often outspoken, human self would have had something to say about that. I know there are times in my life when I wonder why God gives me a donkey, so to speak, when I have requested a faster and more comfortable mode of transportation. Sometimes, God does not hand us exactly what we want on a silver platter. Instead, He gives us the things we need. Rather than giving us a “fast pass” through life, He wants us to trust Him to provide what we need when we need it. And Jesus Christ trusted His Father completely.Jesus knew that God would only ask Him to do what He could realistically accomplish. Although He may have questioned the events relating to His crucifixion, He remained steadfast in His love for His Father, fulfilling His Father’s plan. Even unto death, Jesus carried out the will of God. Jesus knew that He was the only Perfect Sacrifice. He knew that a world without His crucifixion meant that all would be lost forevermore. He knew that you and I needed a Savior. As the old song says, “He could have called ten thousand angels, but He did it all for you and me.” He knew He could not back out at the last minute…to do so would have changed the world for eternity. And in effect, it would have put an end to the notion of eternity for you and me. If Jesus had not trusted His Father, there would be no way for us to have our sins washed away and there would be no means of getting into Heaven. If He had not given His life for us, the end of our life on this earth would literally be just that - the end.
Thanks to God’s amazing love for us, and the love His Son Jesus has for us, we have hope for eternity. If you have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, you will live forever. John 3:16 (ESV) says, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” Jesus doesn’t want us to live without hope. He doesn’t want us to see death as the ill-awaited doomsday of our life. And He doesn’t want us to fear the future. Instead, He wants us to cherish the time we have on this earth, all the while, joyfully awaiting the moment we walk into Heaven’s gates. He wants us to believe that He is the Son of the Living God. If you believe this to be true, you will not die, but live. I Thessalonians (NIV) says, “He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him.” Jesus wants to walk beside you on this earth, and when your earthly life is over, He wants you to live with Him in Heaven. If you have asked Jesus to be the Lord of your life, you have a life filled with hope. You have the hope of eternity.
So, the next time you see a donkey, think about the animal that, over two thousand years ago, carried the King of Kings upon its back. And the next time you wonder why God chose a donkey, take a closer look at the donkey’s back. I know that God, the Creator of this hard-working creature, must have seen the significance in the design upon its back: a cross. Since the beginning of time, God knew that His only Son would ride upon a donkey on His journey to Calvary’s cross. He knew that His only Son would die for every man, woman, boy, and girl. And yes, He knew that some people would love Him, and He knew that others would reject Him. He knew that the name of Jesus would be praised and adored, and other times, this holy name would be criticized and mocked. Yet, He did it all, just for you and me. Jesus Christ loves you unconditionally. Will you love Him in return?In Christ’s Love,
Jennifer