Because He Lives

Because He lives, I can face tomorrow

Because He lives, All fear is gone

And because I know, I know He holds the future

And life is worth the living just because He lives

 

The day before I turned a year older, I woke up wishing for three things in my life - peace in my heart, a simple life and staying rooted.

Nothing overly ambitious I guess, nor outwardly progressive, nor financially viable. What is wrong with her? Some would implore.

Life is not defined by what we have, even if we have a lot. Life is defined by what we become in the Potter's hands. 

 

Then Jesus went to work on his disciples. "Anyone who intends to come with me has to let me lead. You're not in the driver's seat; I am.

Don't run from suffering; embrace it. Follow me and I'll show you how. Self-help is no help at all. Self-sacrifice is the way, my way, to finding yourself, your true self.

What kind of deal is it to get everything you want but lose yourself? What could you ever trade your soul for? Matthew 16:24-26 The Message.

 

I am not saying don't work hard, give up your dreams or aspirations. But I am saying in the midst of being caught up in busyness and complexity of making a living,

don't neglect your soul and not negate the worth of the soul of others, be they good or evil.

 

"You're familiar with the old written law, 'Love your friend,' and its unwritten companion, 'Hate your enemy.' I'm challenging that. I'm telling you to love your enemies. Let them bring out the best in you, not the worst. When someone gives you a hard time, respond with the energies of prayer, for then you are working out of your true selves, your God-created selves. This is what God does. He gives his best - the sun to warm and the rain to nourish - to everyone, regardless: the good and bad, the nice and nasty. Matthew 5:43-45 The Message.

 

We would be merely existing if we had nothing to believe in, nothing to sustain our soul. No one to stand by us, no God to turn things around.

Times when we give our darnest, only to be damned. When we speak the truth, only to be marginalised. When what happens in our lives gives us no reprieve.

As we try to manage, things get out of control. And we come to the end of ourselves. At the end of our natural ability, we become aware of God's divine intervention.

 

He turns the ordinary around. He restores the soul. You find yourself having the strength to go through an ordeal. The unexpected happens and you are filled with gratitude.

In the midst of realigning yourself, God is realigning your life. If not for faith, love and hope; there would have been no reason for living, for believing that God works for the good of those who love Him. There's where faith is built, strength is found and hope is renewed.

 

Shalom,

Sv

 

Love is not blind - it sees more, not less. But because it sees more, it is willing to see less.

~ Rabbi J. Gordon