Sunday, June 23, 2013

But Take Heart!

"I have told you these things so that in me you may have peace. In this world, you will have trouble. But take heart! For I have overcome the world." -John 16:33

Hands down, this is my favorite Bible verse in the world! So, I thought I would dissect it a little bit this afternoon. 

The first sentence says, "I have told you these things so that in me you may have peace." Previously, Jesus has told His disciples that soon He will not be with them in body any longer. However, He wants them to remember all that He has taught them and remember these things. Because, He wants them to have peace. And, He has given them instructions for how to have peace. And, we can share in that same peace through Jesus, which is a spectacular thing. But, then Jesus continues...

The sentence directly after states, "In this world you will have trouble." OH NO! Jesus is telling His disciples this! He is telling them they WILL have trouble. He isn't saying, "Here are some comforting words just in case you hit a rough patch or two." He is saying this because they will have trouble. And, we all know that the disciples are not alone. We, also, have had, will have, and are going to have trouble. We are going to hit many rough patches. We are going to get knocked down. We may even get kicked while we are down. 

This next sentence always sticks out to me. "But take heart!" Now, up until today, I had not really thought much about what this phrase meant. So, I googled "what does the expression 'take heart' mean" and clicked on the very first link. It contained three definitions of the phrase "take heart." The first one said, "to receive courage or comfort from some fact." The second one said, "to start to feel more hopeful and more confident." And, lastly, the third one said, "to feel encouraged." I then googled what "but" means. I know this may sound funny, but sometimes we grow accustomed to words and don't really focus on their meanings as much. According to Google, "but" is "used to introduce something contrasting with what has already been mentioned." So, let's put these together! The words "But take heart!" mean to be encouraged because Jesus is contrasting what He just said with something that will encourage us! 

And, what should encourage us? Jesus says, "I have overcome the world." Now, notice this is past tense. As in, Jesus has already overcome the world. And, also notice, that it is a definite. It doesn't say, "For now, I have overcome the world." Jesus says, strongly, "I have overcome the world." Jesus is saying, "Stick a fork in it, I have control." Isn't that awesome?! Jesus has overcome the world! And, that's not even the best part! The best part is the reason behind it. And, do you want to know that reason? US! You! Me! Your neighbor across the street! Jesus overcame the world for us! He overcame the world so that through Him we could all have peace, because He loves us! He loves us so much that He died on a cross for our peace! That's awesome! 

So, now let's put everything back together, because that's when things work best. "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." God wants us to have peace! God knows that peace isn't something we can have in this world. So, what does He do? He sends us son to take over the world, so we can have that peace. But, that's the thing about this peace He is talking about. It comes from God. It doesn't come from this world. It doesn't come in the form of a blunt, a bottle, or someone else's bed. It comes in the form of a man on a cross! It comes in the form of salvation, which is freely given!

Now, some of you may be thinking, "I have been saved but my life is still hitting bump after bump. I feel like I'm riding a crowded van in Costa Rica." And, you know what, you might be. Because that's life! I hate to say it, but it is and we all know it. Life isn't easy, because we live in a broken world. But, God is saying that true peace that doesn't depend on circumstances is here! Maybe it's been a while since you felt that peace! But, that doesn't mean that peace has gone! Jesus is waiting there with open arms saying here's your peace! Because, you know what sometimes Christians crumple. Sometimes, we still feel down, we still feel broken. But, we aren't because God has us. And, He has already overcome the world for you, so don't let the world overcome you! Have faith! One of my favorite songs is "Give Me Faith" and the bridge goes: "I may be weak, but Your Spirit's strong in me. My flesh may fail. But, my God, You never will." Although we are powerless against the world, the world is powerless against God! So, when you think you can't go one more step, God is there to carry you on. So, take heart in this fact, because it says so in God's instruction manual! 

Tuesday, June 11, 2013

God's Got His Own Clock

"...And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this?" -Esther 5:14

I don't know about you guys, but I would definitely be terrified in Esther's position! Women in the Bible days waited on the calling of their husbands. She had little power even in her position. Yet, Mordecai is still telling her that she may have been placed in her position to save all the Jews. I can see myself now in her position. "You've got to be kidding me! No way am I going try and stop all of this! What can I even do?!" 

But, Esther had faith. Not only was it faith in God, but faith in His timing. No, He certainly doesn't call us to save a whole lot of people, but He does call us! He calls us to trust Him, to honor Him, and to praise Him! But, how do we trust, honor, and praise Him if we don't even have faith in His timing!

My whole life I have struggled with being single. I have been single all twenty years of my life. And, I have spent many days crying over boys that God hasn't "given" me, so to speak. I have spent a lot of time angry at people around me in relationships or people who were always so happy mostly because I felt so alone, even around my dearest family and friends. Being single is not easy. And, although I know I'm not alone because I have God, it is probably one of the hardest things I deal with. And, I try not to let loneliness get the best of me, but sometimes I just can't help it. Don't get me wrong I love my life, but I wouldn't mind adding a boyfriend to the equation.

But, my question is, "Am I lonely because I don't have a boyfriend? Or, am I lonely because I am not fully trusting in God's timing?" If it is God's will for me to have a boyfriend then I will have one when He is ready for me to have one. To truly live my life to honor God, I must have faith in His timing. And, this includes my plan to have a boyfriend and so much more. 

Last year, my grandmother passed away from cancer. Did I want this to happen? No way! I wanted her to be around to see my little cousins graduate high school, to see all of us graduate college, to meet her great-grandkids, to live to be at least 100. But, she didn't. And, yes, it's sad, but it was God's timing. My family has grown closer because of it. And, my sister's faith has changed drastically since it happened. And, we have all grown closer to God. What if it had happened a couple of years down the road? Would it have changed us the same way? Would it have made us better Christians? What if she would have died of old age? Would my sister have gained the incredible testimony and determination to be a better Christian? Maybe. But, with God's timing, these things were definite.

God has His own clock. And, typically, it is not set with our clocks. And, you have to learn that it's okay. What if Esther had been born a few years later than she was? What if the Jews had been threatened when Vashti was queen? Would the world be the same? 

So next time something doesn't match up with your plan, have faith in God's timing. Because in the end, His clock is the only one that matters.