I’ve learnt something really important throughout all the twists and turns of my life so far. It’s that regardless of what we may be going through, when we have Jesus walking alongside us, “everything is going to be okay in the end”.
I’ve discovered that “where there is life there is hope”, and that even when one chapter comes to a close in our life, that it’s ending is just the doorway to a new chapter beginning.
That may sound easy to say, but how do we live it. I would recommend step by step. Step by step we learn to trust Jesus to lead and guide us through every phase and circumstance in our life. He promises He will be with us, and that He will guide us in the paths of life. From an early age I have witnessed God’s provision and comfort. I’ve seen him provide food where there was none when my parents went bankrupt and lost the family farm. I’ve had the revelation that God is not a two-minute noodle but a roast dinner type of provider when as a young couple our finances were stretched at the end of the week. With a simple “I’d really love a roast dinner instead of these two minute noodles again” request, He instantly provided not one but two night’s meals, plus dessert!
I’ve walked with Him through the loss of babies, out of body death experiences, sicknesses, disease, financial pressures, failures, disappointments, anxiety, family dramas, abuse and the deaths of my younger brother and father.
It has not been easy at times. Actually I’ve felt like I might just break more than once. But I haven’t, because God is faithful to His promises, and He enables us to “just keep walking with Him”. There have been times when I have had to adjust my point of view, and lifestyle to line up more clearly with God’s ways and plan for my life, and other times where I’ve simply had to let go, and let God.
But through it all, I’ve learnt that God is God, and that He sees and loves me. In the brightest and darkest moments of life He has and continues to be “right there”. Nothing is ever wasted and nothing is ever pointless, if we allow God to be in, and take hold of every brilliant moment, and also every terrible gut wrenching, “where are you God in this”, moment too. (Romans 8:28)
Paul in the bible knew of and experienced the highs and lows of life, yet he lived victoriously. Whatever he faced He knew that Jesus was enough, and that He would see Him through. Whether in plenty, or in a time of believing for resources to be supplied, He kept constant. He said these words in response to whatever he faced:
“For God has made this light shine in our hearts, but we ourselves are like fragile clay jars containing this great treasure. This makes it clear that our great power is from God, not from ourselves. (paraphrased)
We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed. We are perplexed, but not driven to despair. We are hunted down, but never abandoned by God. We get knocked down, but we are not destroyed.” (2 Corinthians 4:6-8)
“For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever!” (2 Corinthians 4:17)
“ I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:13)
Today, whether you are in a season of harvest and breakthrough, or in the midst of a struggle, know that God is with you if you have asked him to be part of your life. He won’t let you down. Yes, there may be some necessary adjustments to get you to where you are going, or the need to let go of some things in your life. But God knows the past, present and everything in between. Let Him take the lead, and everything will be okay.
“If God is for us, who can ever be against us? Since he did not spare even his own Son but gave him up for us all, won’t he also give us everything else? Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death?…No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us.
And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:31-19).
Prayer: Lord thank you that everything is going to be okay. Whatever I may face in life would you remind and help me to understand deep down in my heart that you love me and won’t let me fall. Even if I stumble you promise that you will pick me up and put my feet back on solid ground. Please teach me your ways that I may walk in them. In Jesus Name Amen.