Today I reflected up recent days of adversity for those who have suffered loses. Loses are never joyous or easy, yet there is a strength that can, and will carry us through. That strength is the Love we have one for another.
Religious people who have forms without power, would just argue ... about God carrying us. God does carry us, but today it is "Christ in us the hope of Glory." Today God makes his abode within men. And this same Jesus whom we serve, and fellowship with, also lives through us in the sense of helping others. We have been left with one command ... that is like unto loving God ... Loving one another.
Proverbs 24:10 tells us that if we faint in the day of adversity our strength is small.
The word faint in this text means to quit, to stand idle, to leave the task, to slack off, or to be slothful.
So when adversity comes we do not want to quit believing for better days. We are not to stand idled doing nothing toward overcoming. It is not time to slack off or be slothful. It is time to stand up and fight the good fight of faith. Yet remembering we are not alone.
We have the one just like Jesus given us, "the person of the Holy Spirit" who is here to Help us. We also have Christ in others that will reach out to us and aid us in our stand when trouble comes. Together we become stronger ... as the scripture has assured us, one can put a thousand to flight and two ten thousand. Also, we are led to understand that there is strength in numbers. Together we are strong in the day of adversity.
Today a friend of ours posted a facebook status concerning how each snow flake is unique, just like each of us. He continued to impress me with this knowledge: "The number of possible snowflakes is 10 x 70th power times the number of atoms in the universe." Amazing! Yet, being the opinionated person I am (as most of us are, if we are honest) I had to add this: "Yes,
everyone different ... All unique ... All individually beautiful and
amazing. Yet, it is only when they all move together that they make an
impact in planet earth."
Together we are strong ... together we make noticeable difference.
These present days have a darkness about them. But we can make a difference ... There is a light that shines if we allow it. Let us be lighted candles set on hills, without the overshadowing of bushels.
In the midst of sorting through all of the shock and pain of the Sandy Hook shooting, a poem was released, out of consideration for the author I have copied and pasted it below.
Twas' 11 days before Christmas, around 9:38
when 20 beautiful children stormed through heaven's gate.
their smiles were contagious, their laughter filled the air.
they could hardly believe all the beauty they saw there.
they were filled with such joy, they didn't know what to say.
they remembered nothing of what had happened earlier that day.
"where are we?" asked a little girl, as quiet as a mouse.
"this is heaven." declared a small boy. "we're spending Christmas at God's house."
when what to their wondering eyes did appear,
but Jesus, their savior, the children gathered near.
He looked at them and smiled, and they smiled just the same.
then He opened His arms and He called them by name.
and in that moment was joy, that only heaven can bring
those children all flew into the arms of their King
and as they lingered in the warmth of His embrace,
one small girl turned and looked at Jesus' face.
and as if He could read all the questions she had
He gently whispered to her, "I'll take care of mom and dad."
then He looked down on earth, the world far below
He saw all of the hurt, the sorrow, and woe
then He closed His eyes and He outstretched His hand,
"Let My power and presence re-enter this land!"
"may this country be delivered from the hands of fools"
"I'm taking back my nation. I'm taking back my schools!"
then He and the children stood up without a sound.
"come now my children, let me show you around."
excitement filled the space, some skipped and some ran.
all displaying enthusiasm that only a small child can.
and i heard Him proclaim as He walked out of sight,
"in the midst of this darkness, I AM STILL THE LIGHT."
At the end of this poem reads, and I will repeat:
"Let My power and presence re-enter this land!"
"may this country be delivered from the hands of fools"
"I'm taking back my nation. I'm taking back my schools!"
then He and the children stood up without a sound.
"come now my children, let me show you around."
excitement filled the space, some skipped and some ran.
all displaying enthusiasm that only a small child can.
and i heard Him proclaim as He walked out of sight,
"in the midst of this darkness, I AM STILL THE LIGHT."
This is the hope we have as Christian believers in planet earth. This is the outstretched arm of a loving savior who is for us and not against us. It is love extended in darkness. Light that will dis-spell evils, as it comforts those who are hurting.
When the text in Proverbs speaks to us about adversity ... the word adversity suggest to us:
times of anguish, distress, hurts and/or trouble. We could easily say frustrations and disappointments.
When our hearts are angered, stressed, hurt and our minds troubled. Our flesh grows frustrated and often disappointment by things we can't fix and that our minds can't comprehend. Thus, we have faith. A supernatural invisible substance given each of us by God. And it is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things we can't see.
We can't see our lost ones that have passed over, yet there is a hope of rejoining them. We can't blink back homes lost to devastation like tsunamis and tornadoes, but we can re build as we fight back in faith.
Life here in planet earth comes with persecutions, troubles and tribulations. But there is a strength that can endure to the end. It is called Faith!
There is a God who lives within, who will hear us when we call, respond to us when we inquire and comfort us when it seems we can't stand.
When it seems your strength is small... run to a quite place and look unto Jesus, the author and finisher of the God kind of faith. He is available. He will be there to receive you, to listen to you and to answer. And I, as Jesus did for Peter, will be praying that your faith does not fail you and that you might come out with the ability to strengthen others.
Maybe you have felt or are feeling faint. Maybe it seems today your strength is small. If so ... hold on, help is on the way. You are not alone. Prayer is being made for you, even as you pray.
In closing this blog ... let me leave you with a truth. God will make a way where there seems to be no way. He will up hold you with his righteous right arm and and brace you with His love. Don't run from God, don't hide out from others. Run to them for strength! Today ... You are loved, so tomorrow you can feel again ... you can love again!
