Here For More

This life is so much bigger than ourselves. This life is so much more than the pain, the sorrow, the joy and the comfort. In Psalm 30 we see moments where God was angry with David and hid his face from David, but we also know this to be true, “Yet, as he looked back on his life he was able to see that the moments of trial and testing were in the context of a lifetime of God’s Favor.” ~Nicky Gumbel

And that’s the thing about God, even in our suffering, He brings favor.

For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime! Weeping may last through the night, but joy comes in the morning. Psalm 30:5-6

Joy comes in the morning.

God brings beauty from ashes.

Part of the suffering we walk through on this side of heaven is death. When our loved ones die, we are shattered, or world’s fall a part and we become broken shells of who we once were. Grief hits us like a storm on the ocean, wave after wave. But, eventually, those waves, they come less often, they lose their strength and the power they have over us. The waves will come forever. We will never fully be who we were before we lost our loved one, but we also can be given favor in our sorrow. And though we walk through that pain, God is with us. And from my experiences, those are the most intimate and beautiful moments we can have with God. That favor, that intimacy, it is as sweet as honey. And although I never want to go back to the pain, to be back with God in those moments is something my soul craves.

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. Psalm 23:4

And in the story of Lazarus, we see just how “with us” God is.

When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come along with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in spirit and troubled. “Where have you laid him?” He asked. “Come and see, Lord.” They replied. Jesus wept. John 11:33-35

But the thing is, He was not weeping for himself. No, He was weeping for Martha and Mary. The thing is, Jesus KNEW He was going to raise Lazarus from the dead, but they did not. They were angry and sad and He let them have their emotions, their feelings. AND He cried, right alongside those He loved. He does the same for you and for me today. The suffering, the pain, the waiting, it all has purpose, it all has intention. And we know that on this side of heaven, it is temporary. For in Christ, we have an eternity, one where there will be no more pain, there will be no more sorrow. That is our promise, that is our hope.

But, one question, how do we deal with the souls who are lost? Our friends, our family, who don’t believe in God, who when they die have to face their judgement day knowing Christ is not in their hearts. I don’t know how to deal with that, because according to the Bible, according to God’s word, we will not see them again. That is the hard reality; the truth that comes with a beautiful eternity is that there will be no more evil. And as I struggle with what that means for those who do not know God, I do know this to be true: God is merciful and loving. Look what Jesus did for the sinner next to Him on the cross:

And he said to him, “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise.” Luke 23:43

I believe, I know, that our God chases after every single one of us until our last breath. Our God wants to bring home all of the lost sheep. As we face the reality that there are people in our lives who may not go to heaven, I know we have a part to play. These are good and loving people, but they don’t know God. So, we have to be the ones to show them who God is. We pray for their souls, their hearts, each and every day. This verse has been so convicting for me lately, it just breaks my heart but at the same time, it lights my soul on fire to fight for the Kingdom of Heaven, to spread God’s love everywhere I go:

Two women will be grinding at the mill; one will be taken and one left. Matthew 24:41

Jesus speaks this truth to his disciples as He is letting them in on what is to come, what will happen when He comes back. Here is the truth I know: we are going to heaven. Not because we are a good people. Not because we do right in this world. Not because we love our neighbor. Not because we deserve it. No, we are going to heaven because we know and love God. And on all the days we fall short, we keep running back to Him. But, then when Jesus returns, will the person next to us be coming too?

Love and Blessings,