A picture just to brighten the day.
The world is messy. I’m messy. My friends and family are all in much better shape than I am, but some of them have a little bit of mess about them, too. And, in all this messiness, it is quite easy to start believing that we shall be overwhelmed. That the huge load of garbage coming at us every day will eventually suffocate and consume everything good and real and eternal.
But, Dear Reader, the mess will never win. Let me step for a moment out of the noise of social media and cable news networks. Away from late night television and even the extended family table. Let me tell you three things that are true:
- In this world we will have trouble – We know that. It is obvious. But God, who created our world, also warned us about it in advance. He told Jesus, and Jesus told his friend, John, and John wrote it down for us. (John 16:33)
- We also have hope – “Don’t worry,” Jesus told John. (and me, and you, and our kids and grandkids) “Take courage. I have overcome the world.” That doesn’t mean Jesus did away with all the trouble. John and his friends faced some bad stuff in the years ahead. But, they faced it with courage and hope. Even joy. Because they knew all their trouble was temporary. The Holy Spirit in their lives would give them strength to live through the trouble, and they knew one day they would live in a perfect world where Jesus had made all things new. Some day.
- Our hope comes Just in Time – This is the part that got me today and totally settled everything in my soul. Another friend of Jesus (who met Him a little later) wrote a letter to the church in ancient Rome. Paul said, “For while we were still helpless, at the right time, Christ died for the ungoldy.” (chapter 5)That is all of us, of course. We were ungoldy when He found us. And often, we still are. But, at just the right time, He came.
He still does, you know. He comes every day in ways we don’t even notice. He keeps our world spinning and our bodies breathing. Sometimes He comes in great big ways and quiets the storm or heals the broken. And, one day, He is coming back to stay with us forever. He promised.