Let’s Get Personal
Last Thursday, I attended a meeting with several other business leaders. In these weekly meetings, we are allowed a minute to stand and share about things happening within our business, our ministry, or our community. As I parked my Pilot, I thought about what I would say today. I felt like the Lord said to keep it personal.
Well, that made me a bit nervous. But as I walked in, another in the group followed, and in conversation, I found out he lost a good friend the week before. He briefly shared some memories, as well as what the funeral looked like. There was a deep sadness in his heart, partly because of his friend’s death and partly because of the choices his friend had made.
Life is like that. It catches us off guard. Unexpected circumstances come, and the choices others make that affect us can cause us to lose heart in the middle of our faith. The fact is, life is hard. The truth is, God is sovereign. Jesus wants to be our Savior and Lord. It is a Romans 7 and Romans 8 moment. We find out which chapter we live in when times are tough.
As I was preparing for work one morning, a sweet friend called, crying. While listening, I cried with her. The hurt is real. Betrayals cut deep because we care what people do, although we often don’t understand why. And when the hurt severs, long-term relationships, we can question everything. Maybe we should. Jesus experienced the same thing.
I found out recently that 3 different people I know have cancer. We all process this type of news differently. One friend is going to do exactly what the doctor suggests, one is excited to get it over with, and the other embraced the facts, yet they are all praying, as I am, for full recovery! Disease is a real thing, but prayer triumphs over all.
When it came my turn to talk last week, for my one minute, I made it personal. I shared about the people I know and work with who have turned their lives around, even in the face of very difficult situations, and now they are back on track. Living life even though life is hard. I am reminded of what Jesus said in Matthew 11:28-30. “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
We do live in this world, for now, but we are not of this world. Let us embrace God, the Lifegiver, and offer hope to those who need it.
