I’m a little contemplative today.

I’ve seen so much pain and suffering around me lately. It’s the worst part of life, this pain and suffering. Sometimes it’s brought on by others, sometimes it’s brought on by ourselves, and sometimes it just seems so random.

Disease. Brokenness. Hopelessness. Divorce. Betrayal. Anger. Tragedy. Death.

And yet this is all part of life. The joy AND the sorrow. The good times and the bad times. The ups and the downs. The ebb and the flow.

How do you make it through this life? What is your true north? What do you keep your eyes on in order to draw you through this journey we call life?

I don’t know how most people make it. Aside from Jesus, what else is there? Just white knuckle yourself through the pain? Deaden your senses? Repress your feelings? Lash out in anger? Drown yourself in vice?

This is how many deal with the pains of life that we all experience, although some to greater and lesser degrees.

But there is a way. It doesn’t take away the pain but it does lighten it. It lifts the burden of the pain. It gives meaning as we fight our way through the suffering.

It is Jesus.

When all else is going wrong and everything seems to be falling apart, there is Jesus.

“The name of the Lord is like a strong tower, the righteous shall run to it and are safe.” Proverbs 18:10

I don’t know you all. In fact, I don’t know most of you. But I do know about you. I know that you are part of humanity and being part of humanity means that there is suffering for you. I don’t know what suffering you are going through, but the name of the Lord is like a strong tower. Run to it. Be safe.

Some of you have never considered what Jesus has offered to you: Eternal life. Love. Grace. Forgiveness. Acceptance.You’ve lived your whole life overwhelmed by grief through one circumstance after another. I challenge you to turn your life to Jesus.

And then there are those of you who have given your life to Jesus. You accept His love and grace and forgiveness and you know where you are headed someday, but you work your way through this life, not with the power of God, but by the sheer force of your personality or willpower.

And it’s exhausting.

Maybe it’s time to follow the words of Psalm 46:10. “Be still and know that I am God.“

Isn’t it beautiful to know that in the midst of the whirlwind, we can rest?

Remember the words from Psalm 23. “You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.”Think about that imagery. Hard-pressed on every side by your enemies, God says, “Sit down. Relax. Eat. Enjoy the feast. I am in control and nothing can harm you.”

I don’t know who all will read this and I don’t know what you’re going through, but know this: You are loved. Millions of years ago, even billions of years ago, yes, even before the foundations of time, your life was a thought in God’s mind. He knew you. He planned for you. He loves you. He wants nothing more than to be your father and you his son or daughter. He wants nothing more than for you to turn to him in the midst of your trouble so that He can be there for you. He wants to comfort you and give you a place of rest.

Will you except his invitation today? Will you turn your eyes upon Jesus? As the words of the old song say, “Turn your eyes upon Jesus, look full in His wonderful face, and the things of this world will grow strangely dim, in the light of His glory and grace.”
God loves you today, my friend. Bask in that. Let Him lavish His love upon you today. Know that you’re special and that He sees you, especially in your pain.

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