“I feel so empty,” she whispered as tears fell from her face onto the table. Sometimes life feels heavy. Maybe it’s not always a bed of roses, even in the places that seem the happiest.
Churches don’t exist to be a parade of perfection. What a lie. Who believes such a thing? We are all sinners, unworthy of the grace of God. Yet, He pours grace upon grace into our unworthy lives. His mercy, His love, His sovereignty all meet us where we are again and again. His arms are open when we run to Him. God pours out His love and nothing can seperate us from the love of Christ.
In my own weariness, those were the words that I chose to speak into the heart of my precious friend. “Nothing can seperate us from the love of Christ.” I didn’t write those words. They aren’t original….but they are raw and honest and beautiful, timeless, pure truth. Those words? They’re straight from the Word of God.
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?
As it is written: “For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”
No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
~Romans 8:35-39
We just need to say it out loud to one another some days, don’t we? It’s truth. Being a Christian doesn’t mean that this life will be sunshiney all of the time. We know this. What does it mean then? Who are we as “the church” then? Friends, following Jesus means that our hope is eternal. It means His love will never run out. It means that with Jesus as our Savior, THIS life is not the end. It means God will get the last word. It means we cannot ever forget it: He has already won. The victory belongs to Jesus.
Rewind a bit in that chapter of the Bible. Romans chapter 8. Right before God’s word tells us that nothing can seperate us from the Father’s love? Read what it says. That chapter is full of treasures, friends. It’s written right there in verse 31.
What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? ~Romans 8:31
Maybe we don’t get it all right. Maybe our life is marked by more failures and tragedies than trophies and accolades. Maybe we do have it all…on the outside. Maybe we are empty on the inside. Maybe the world crashes in around us. Maybe depression knocks at the door of our heart. Maybe you’re the happy girl who loves Jesus but anxiety keeps you awake at night? Maybe you are the woman with a million responsibilities and you’re just running out of steam?
God has not given up on you. God has us.
But the Lord stood with me and strengthened me, so that the proclamation might be fully made through me and all the Gentiles might hear. So I was rescued from the lion’s mouth. ~2 Timothy 4:17
And those ancient words written in 2 Timothy were true then. They have been true for me, as well. God continues to stand with me, strengthening me in the midst of uncertainty. He continues to rescue me. He continues to restore. He is a perfect, Sovereign Reedemer and Restorer. And my God will meet all my needs.
In the happiest places in the world, in the happiest of hearts, on the happiest of days: God is there in the broken places making all things new. Again and again, He welcomes us into His arms. This is enough. This will carry us through to the day of completion. Our hope is in Him.
My hope is in Him.
He has you too. Just place your trust with Jesus.
From my heart to yours, ~Courtney