For the Surpassing Worth of Knowing Christ
Sometimes, we get so caught up in thinking about things – trying to rationalize why things happen, trying to pinpoint all the good things God is doing when life is complicated – when we really just need to lower our eyes, rest our heart.
Have you calmed and quieted your soul?
In this bleak midwinter, a take a moment to stop thinking…and to rest in the God who thinks of you.
When the Israelites turned from God repeatedly, allowing their questions and doubts and confusion to overwhelm their wearied hearts, and when they so stubbornly and selfishly denied their Redeemer and Creator…still He remained faithful. And throughout all the prophets this theme continues, woven in an endless and beautiful depiction of God’s love despite our human inconsistencies and flaws. This theme to slow down…and remember.
Who could ever dream to hope of a God that seeks a filthy people who runs from Him, denies Him, betrays Him, and attacks Him? And yet the Creator of all mankind is, in an overwhelming love story, faithfully seeking His heart’s love…though we hide from His arms and faithlessly chase worldly pleasures and disgrace. How breathtaking. How beautiful.
How unthinkable.
I know this race isn’t always easy. I know sometimes life hurts. But the next time you’re overwhelmed, just imagine Jesus smiling down and whispering, “hang on, little one. When you’re running and tired and you want to give up…just look up here at Me. I’ll be cheering you on.”
Just look up.
Several weeks ago, I had the wonderful opportunity of going to stay with a missionary teammate in an extremely Islamic village. The experience taught me so much about missions, God, people, the brokenness in our world,… and myself. And through all of that, the lesson that stuck out to me the most is this: I need spiritual rest. And so do you
When all we see is worthless, invaluable, and hopelessly broken, Yahweh is still looking compassionately upon His lost sheep whispering “I love you. I’m still fighting for you. I’m not finished yet.”
And friends? We need to be praying. We need to be desperately and sincerely praying for the lost and hurting souls around the world. Because they matter to Him.
Does your world feel heavy, friends? Mine does sometimes. Sometimes the world feels like a backpack that has new books added to it every morning. There are some good books in there, but eventually they all add up. The truth is that the world is heavy.
Too heavy for us.
But here’s an enlightening fact: it’s not ours to hold.