Russell Media - Laurie

Is it just me or does the world seem to be falling apart. Wars all around us, natural disasters altering lives in the matter of minutes and the economy, etc. Do you ever find yourself wondering why is God not intervening?

Easter Saturday I walked with our daughter, Anastasia, to her soccer game. We talked about it being the day before Easter and wondered what the disciples felt that day. Were they scared? Did they feel as if Jesus had lied? Were they mourning the loss of Jesus and the hope they held in Him?

I’m sure they felt as if their life was imploding. Political unrest, Jesus was gone, their new “careers” as disciples seemed to be over and feared for their lives. They scattered, one denied, another betrayed. Stability had vanished.

Little did they know that God had a miracle waiting for them around the corner that would restore their peace and fill them with confidence and strength.

I know what I believe about God but sometimes it’s hard to believe what I believe about Him – especially when life around me seems to be spinning out of control. I often find myself crying out to God the same as Jairus, “I do believe. Help me overcome my unbelief.”

Three things I’ve found have helped me find God in these times of struggle:

1)   Serve – The women rose early that Easter morning to serve Jesus. They were going to care for His body. God honored their servant hearts by revealing Himself to them. Often when I serve God, in spite of my circumstances, He shows Himself to me.

2)   Express doubts – While in jail, John the Baptist questioned if Jesus was the true Messiah. He was about to be beheaded - why Jesus was not saving him? Jesus wasn’t offended – in fact He gave John the proof he needed and then praised John to the crowd as the greatest man to be born of woman. God is not threatened when I share my doubts with Him. He guides me to truth and peace through His word and others.

3)   Praise – Psalm 22:3 tells us that God inhabits the praises of his people. When we praise Him, His presence draws near. When He’s near, peace reigns, even if chaos surrounds us. When I praise Him through music or words, my focus turns to Him and off the turmoil I face.

Life may seem as if it’s out of control but God has not left us. He’s a God who likes to give good surprises. But as we wait here is a verse to ponder…

“Let the Lord lead you and trust him to help. Then it will be as clear as the noonday sun that you were right.” Ps. 37:5 (CEV)

Believe what you know to be true of God and as you wait for Him to help you in your circumstance serve Him, talk with Him and praise Him.

What helps you find God when your life feels out of control?

When He seems distant, how do you draw near to Him?

I woke up this morning thinking about Good Friday and how ironic it is that we call it “good.” What’s so good about seeing an innocent person executed?

 Of course we call it “good” now because on that day Jesus paid the ultimate cost for us, allowing us direct communion with God the Father. We are no longer carry the burden, the heaviness of sin that is inside of us.

We are free of that debt – and debt is a word we hear about a great deal today. So many of us better understand the meaning of debt and the burden it give us.

Imagine if someone over night paid off all of your bills - your house, your car, the credit cards, student loans, and medical bills. What freedom that would be!

I often dream of being rich enough to anonymously pay off medical bills for the couple with a sick child or the house payment for a widow and her children or the mounting utility bills for the man who’s been laid off. To release someone from such a huge load while in the midst of a turbulent time would be almost therapeutic. A rush.

But what if it cost you something you loved?

What was God the Father experiencing that day?

Did He feel a huge sense of dread that Friday, knowing He was about to send his Son to be killed? That in Jesus’ greatest hour of need, He’d have to turn His back on Him because of our sin.

Or did He have a spiritual high of knowing many would soon be released of their outstanding debt of sin?

Did He feel both? Did He question if it was worth it? What made Him go through with it?

I couldn’t do it. Just another reason I’m not God. But I’m too selfish. The love I have for my children is a love like no other. I don’t think I have it in me to put them through hell in order for others, who’re undeserving, to stay out of it.

Thank God that God is different. :-)

He has the same love for each of us that He has for Jesus. Jesus chose to be the sacrificial lamb so we all would be together one day.

For this reason I call today VERY Good Friday.

Because of Jesus I will never be asked to pay this price – He’s already done it. Because of Jesus a way has been made for all to find God and Heaven. Because of Jesus my sins have been paid and I’m no longer bound by them. Because of Jesus, I love God the Father more because I’m able to see how much He loves me.

It’s a good day when to remember that we are free and we are loved. Thank you my Lord…today is a very good day and I’m eternally grateful.