One second. Thats all it takes.
And your world is forever changed.
Life isn’t always fair or easy. Things are constantly happening in this world that makes us ask – Why? Why would a good God allow this to happen? Earthquakes. Hurricanes. Fires. Pain. Death. Cancer.
All of these things are “a part of life” and happen all around us everyday. My family has been dealing with a lot of this lately with my Aunt’s diagnosis of brain cancer. There has been a lot sadness and a lot of wondering “why”.
Honestly, I have two personal reflections from these past few weeks: a) I feel less tied down to this world and b) God is good
a) I feel less tied down to this world. More than ever I see how something isn’t right with this world – bad things happen everyday and sin penetrates each of us to our core (no matter how “good” we may seem compared to others). The more I see this, the more I know – we were made for a different world. A world with no more pain, suffering, sadness – a world with no more sin. & i look forward to the day we will experience this thanks to what Jesus did for us on the cross, once and for all.
I know this is an extreme circumstance, but sometimes it takes an extreme circumstance to awaken our need for a Savior. We get so comfortable with our lives sometimes, we don’t really need or have to depend on God. I want my dependance to be on Christ despite the circumstance or season of life I am in – wether happy or sad, I want to rely on Christ as my source of strength and joy. In Psalm 73:25-26 David says, “Whom have I in heaven but you? And there is nothing on earth besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.”
With it being lent and “fasting” being a popular topic right now, I can’t help but correlate it with how I feel in terms of not being tied down to this world. I keep thinking that approaching the cross of Christ is in so many ways a process of experiencing emptiness to fullness. But, where do my affections lie – with things of this world or heaven?
Are you satisfied with a life of this world that has little need for a Savior?
Or are you empty and ready for Christ to be your strength and portion forever?
I am currently at a place of empty and resting in Him to be my strength and portion.
b) God is good. Cancer is not good, but God is good. And honestly, nothing seems “good” about my Aunt’s diagnosis of brain cancer. I know hundreds of people will say, “something good is going to come” and people will look for any/all positives in the situation, but at this moment I am okay with even saying I don’t see the good. But, just because I don’t see good or feel it any way doesn’t mean that God is not good. His plan is greater than anything I can imagine and His plan for my life is most likely way different than anything I could dream up. But I choose to trust in Him.
“And the Lord will guide you continually
and satisfy your desire in scorched places
and make your bones strong;
and you shall be like a watered garden,
like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail.”
Isaiah 58:11
Marquis Clarke
There are so many great aspects about this post. Prayers to you and your family, girly. Suffering through disease is difficult, but God is so present and moving during those times. Love the verses you are resting in today! 🙂
Marquis Clarke
I want to hug you right now and am sending positive thoughts your way. You’re doing great Marquis. Such a powerful message here, even to us non believers. XO
Marquis Clarke
My pastor preached on this very topic yesterday and did an awesome job! His main points were:
1) Maybe God allows bad things to happen in order to draw you closer to him
2) Maybe God allows bad things to happen for the overall better good
I highly encourage you to check it out!
http://southcrest.tv/media-items/google-god-week-3/
Marquis Clarke
I needed that!! Thanks 🙂
Marquis Clarke
thank you!
Marquis Clarke
Thank you Shannon! I so so appreciate it!
Marquis Clarke
Thank you Grace! You have been a great source of encouragement for me! Thank you for faithfully reading/encouraging me 🙂
Marquis Clarke
My comment didn’t let me finish (i accidently hit post). Thank you so much for your encouragement and support.
Marquis Clarke
Girl, I’m praying for you and your family! You are so right. We were not meant for this world. Our life here is but a vapor. God has much better things planned for us because He is good, all the time! Thanks for the reminder and I pray that you continue to find comfort in these things.