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A New Prescription

It’s that moment when you feel like, “Really God!  Do I have to go through this?”  When you so desperately want to ask God “WHY” as you grip the last vestige of your faith holding onto it is as it feels like it’s slipping through your fingers.  You hear Him say to you “I have engraved your name in the palm of my hands.”  But, you allow your emotions to fester, and you say to Him, “I know I’m in the palm of your hands, but I don’t feel it.”

We have all been there.  Our heart is broken, our faith challenged, and we want it all fixed now.   We desperately pray for God’s intervention yet what we hear from Him does not satisfy our desire to have our issue resolved, our heartache mended, or our peace restored.   We want everything fixed now.   We don’t want to go through the storm.   I know I never do.  We know He is guiding us through but quite frankly the storm is fierce, and our visibility is low.   We cannot see the other side.

I have been there.   So, what do we do?   How do you tighten your grip in the storm when the winds are pulling you so hard that your faith feels like it’s slipping away?   We push through and do exactly like Jesus.   We speak peace to our storm, and we turn to His word.

Ok, that’s not a surprise.  I know you expected me to write that.   Quite frankly, we are always given that advice.  We are instructed to turn to the word of God, speak the word of God, and pray the word of God.  It’s the prescribed solution to every Christian problem.  Take this and call me in the morning.   We know it works, but it takes time.    We want an answer today.

I’d like to offer you another prescription.   I have a solution that will help you in your sorrow and jump-start a quick resolution to your situation.   It is a prescription that has never steered me wrong.

The prescription is to return to the basics and allow your mind to meditate on the gift of eternal salvation.   We often overlook the gift of life that Christ gave us through His passion.    Our suffering and pain have the effect of taking our eyes off the cross and placing them on us.   Return to the simple gift of salvation, the cleansing of His blood, and all wonders we will experience in glory.   You are righteous before God and Jesus prepared a place for you in eternity.   The next 20, 30, 40, or 50 years of your life on this earth will happen in a blink of an eye when compared to joys you will experience when we leave these vessels.   This temporary suffering pales in comparison to glorious life Jesus has prepared for us.

I receive comfort when “I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed to us.”  Romans 8:18.   I remind myself that this temporary suffering is but a gift from God that will strengthen me to produce fruit that will last for His kingdom.   “For this light and temporary affliction is producing for us an eternal glory that far outweighs our troubles.”  2 Corinthians 4:17

So, do it.  Pray, read your bible, speak to your storm but do it from a position of eternal security.  Do it knowing that Christ has made provision for you to stand boldly before His glorious throne.   Be diligent in your quest to know Him and the power of His resurrection, and God will strengthen your heart and give you the courage to continue your battle into victory.

 

 

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See You Later, Brother Josh

It’s unexpected.

I could hear the footsteps of my husband on the stairs as I was cleaning the kitchen. I turned to see him peek over the banister when he softly called my name.

“Jenn,” he said, “Brother Josh is gone.” The look on his face instantly communicated what he meant, but I was temporarily confused.

“Brother Josh?” I asked.

“Yes.”

“What happened?” I asked.

“I don’t know.” He said as he turned and quietly walked up the stairs.

Quiet.

It’s a quiet moment. The unexpected.

My heart ached, and I could hear the voice of Brother Josh. I could hear his chuckle and see his smile. I remembered that every time I saw him at church, and he would lean over and say, “Good morning, Minister Jenn,” then kiss me softly on the cheek.

Brother Josh was a tall man with a slender build. He offered an easy smile and a quick laugh, yet he liked what he liked and was very direct and honest about it. In the most flattering way possible, I can best describe him as a kind man. His kindness was without pretense and exemplified the goodness of Christ. I remembered talking to him while speaking to teenagers at the youth facility where he worked. That is when I discovered that at his core he was a caring man working in the most frustrating conditions, yet he maintained an aura of hope. That was when I put him in “that” category. You know, the unsung black man category. Unassuming, king, strong, and faithful, that was Brother Josh.

So, a few days after learning of Brother’s Josh’s transition to glory, it’s Easter Sunday. I’m still trying to process what happened. We have learned more about his passing, but I still have questions. But then again, I don’t.

Easter or Resurrection Sunday is when we as Christians celebrate the resurrection of Christ and His victory over the grave. During this season we are reminded that when Jesus rose from the grave, he conquered death. But, what does that mean exactly? I sit here stunned by the news that a beloved friend has died yet my faith encourages me to believe that death has no victory in this situation. Paul asks in 1 Corinthians 15:55, “O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is they victory?” My heart answers that death is stinging my heart and it suffers from its latest victory.

The fear of death can grip us. It shakes us with its indiscriminate conquests. Some are slow while others come as complete surprises. Death seems inevitable.

Some of us will fall asleep. Others of us will be caught up in the twinkling of an eye yet we shall all be changed. You see, we find comfort in knowing that although we are mortal, we will experience glorious immortality. Our faith in Christ does take away the sting of death because we know this existence is fleeting. It teaches us that our time here is temporary and only a stepping stone to the place that Jesus has prepared for us. Jesus told us that he is going to prepare a place and when he comes back he will welcome us into his presence so that we can be where he is. (John 14:2-3)

So, as I read John 14 and 1 Corinthians 15 I find comfort from the Holy Spirit. He reminds me that Brother Josh is in the place that Jesus prepared for him. He reminds me that Brother Josh is walking on streets of gold and enjoying the heavenly choirs surrounded by all-encompassing peace. He is in the very presence of the Almighty God. I can see his smile and hear him chuckle. He has peace. He has joy. One day, I too will be where he is, and I will experience what he is experiencing, but until then I simply say, “See you later, Brother Josh.”