Life seems to have more problems and pain and less healing and happiness. It makes one step back and wonder at times,"is this really what God had in mind?" You look around at people you know...friends, family, church, co-workers, etc...and it seems that the only dis-functional family is the family who is truly happy and functional (and functional doesn't mean perfect). It is a very rare gem to find a truly functional family. Life is hard. People are hurting. The young couple that looses their baby before he ever leaves the hospital...they are hurting. The mother of 3 children just finds out she has cancer, and only 3 months to live...they are hurting. The woman who was abused by her father and other family members from the time she was born and it still continues at age 60...she is hurting. The husband that wanted to love but received hate in return... he is hurting. The daughter of that same couple who divorced shortly after her birth is confused of her life. Unsure of who she is and feeling unwanted...she is hurting. I could go on and on for hours and the list would get worse and worse. There is so much pain. God is there any relief?...
So with the devil on our shoulder and the sight of God clouded, we turn to other things in effort to "fix" or ease our pain.
The people above and many more just like them are longing for something. And they will not be satisfied until they have what they were created for. God. Not just to have God, but to know Him. To throw your hands into the air and say, "I CAN'T DO IT, please God, do it for me." Not just to know God, but to love Him and let Him love you. To realize that God is the only answer.
People are longing. Their souls like mass confusion...looking up from their pit of despair searching the darkness for a glimps of hope.
And there it is...do you see it? It is like a small flicker in the far distance. Growing brighter and larger. The more you focus on it, the stronger it gets until finally you feel as though someone is scooping you out of a well of black filth.
You feel relieved and happy and at the same time scared and unsure. When suddenly you hear a voice, a strong yet tender voice that is full of love, compassion, and grace. It is God. He gentley begins to wipe the dirt and muck from your face as He talks to you. "Child, you are mine. I knew you before the foundations of the earth. I love you. With deep compassion I will bring you back to me...if only you will let me".
We all hurt. We all have our own stories...stories that only God and we know. We also have a choice. You ask me is it worth it?
Oh yes my dear friend, it is worth it.
Just think about that.
