A while ago I attended a funeral for a young man who died
too soon, leaving a wife and three young girls. The sadness overwhelms at times
and it makes me wish I could be Jesus, just for a few minutes, just long enough
to say, as He did, “arise.”
But then, I realize that He doesn’t need me to do His
work for Him. He has already done it. He has already said that wondrous,
mysterious word and brought that young man into His kingdom, given him time to
have a productive, full life here on this earth, and then brought Him home, to
the place where he has wanted to be, as a believer in Christ.
Often, especially during these difficult days when we
constantly hear about a worsening pandemic, the world seems off kilter and full
of so much pain and suffering it overwhelms us. And we want to be Jesus. We
want to snap our fingers and make it all better. But He is and has already been
at work. He has a plan for this earth, for each one of us, a plan that goes far
beyond what we could ever imagine.
God told the Hebrew people exactly that when they were in
circumstances that were full of pain and suffering – their captivity in
Babylon. Living as slaves, they no doubt often cried out to God to bring them
relief from all the suffering and pain they experienced and saw around them.
This was His answer – “For I know the plans I have for
you,” declares the Lord, “Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to
give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and I will listen
to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart”
(Jeremiah 29:11-13, NIV).
At this time of year some of us are in circumstances that
are made even more difficult by all the joy and/or jollity around us. Our lives
have been turned upside down. And sadness overwhelms.
Here are a few things we can do when that happens:
Look up. When we see all those decorated Christmas trees,
look up. Look for the star or the angel on the top. And know Jesus is with you.
Look around. There are others who are struggling. Is
there something you can do for them that will lighten their hearts, and yours?
Look ahead. Jesus has promised a bright future and given
us a way to know we are secure in his hand.
Yes, there are times I wish I could be Jesus. But then I
remember – He is the Messiah, the Living God, our hope and our comfort. We
don’t need anyone or anything else.
****
A similar version of this devotional in included in
Marcia’s book, Love in the Room, a collection of devotionals just
for Christmas. It can be ordered from Amazon or
by emailing the author – vinemarc@telus.net
The verse from Jeremiah is so meaningful, even more so now at this time. Thank you for this thoughtful devotional.
ReplyDeleteLooking to the things you have listed, even as we struggle with the emotions of a less-than-perfect Christmas season, is good, simple, doable advice. Taking our focus off ourselves and looking to Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith, is always uplifting. Thanks for sharing, Marcia, and have a meaningful Christmas.
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