Where do you go when your world has turned upside down? How do you find peace in the midst of turmoil, confusion and pain? There is one place where peace, comfort, and answers come from -- the Lord Jesus Christ.
Some people try many other venues to mask the pain, to hide from the turmoil, but when we turn to Jesus and pray for leading and comfort we find that peace that passes all understanding.
Peter found it after he denied Christ three times. He was filled with the peace of forgiveness and understanding while Jesus reminded him, "Feed my lambs", "Take care of my sheep."
Mary found it at the tomb of Jesus when through her tears she heard her Savior speak her name. Instantly, her fear, her confusion and her grief were gone!
The men on the Emmaus road were filled with hope once again when Jesus shared a meal with them and when he broke the loaf of bread and gave thanks; their eyes were opened to who He was.
When our eyes are clouded by the hurt of physical needs, or times when we have fallen short of God's glory once again. When you can't see because of the tears in your eyes; that is the time to turn to Jesus and call upon His Name for help. Jesus has promised to never leave us nor forsake us.
We on the other hand fall short daily. If we would be honest with ourselves, we deny Him daily in so many ways. We doubt His promise to be our provider. We focus our eyes on the waves crashing upon our lifeboat and forget that as "The Good Shepherd" He has laid down His life for you.
Nothing can overtake those who have called upon the name of Jesus, because He has overcome the world. Jesus told his disciples in John's gospel, "In this world you will have trouble, but take heart! I have overcome the world." (John 16:33)
We must be reminded that following Jesus doesn't mean a life without trials. Not at all. What the Lord promises is His presence with us through it all. If we will trust Him, He has promised to lead us down good and straight paths. It takes faith and obedience on our part. We are called to trust in His wisdom, not our own, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding: In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight" (Proverbs 3:5,6).
The best we can do is to trust and obey. The best we can offer is a hearty "Hallelujah!" which means Praise the Lord. By shouting Hallelujah in the midst of trouble we are claiming our faith and trust in His promises. It may be a broken Hallelujah, because it is coming from a place of brokenness in our life, but God is faithful and is the best at bringing something beautiful and new from the ashes of a broken life.
Shout your broken Hallelujah, sing it out loud and clear and watch while God works in your heart to bring comfort, peace and assurance. Every day I offer a broken Hallelujah to the Lord because every day I need His presence, His peace and His leading. The best I can offer Him is empty hands of faith and love. This broken Hallelujah is music to His ears. Only then can He begin to work in and through me. Pray hard and keep the faith, Pastor Sue Metcalf.
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Metcalf is pastor of Forest Hills Church, an American Baptist congregation. Email her at [email protected].
Religion on 02/18/2015