I’m not sure what’s harder right now, climbing Mt. Everest or finding a good piece of news. Between racial tensions, devastation in Houston, nuclear tension not felt since Kennedy administration, and a politically divided nation we are inundated with overwhelmingly negative news (not to mention all the negativity On our social media feeds). Here in Nicaragua I see heartbreak and tragedy everyday. It’s seeing ramshackle shacks built next to luxurious shopping malls. It’s seeing little kids, the disabled, and the mentally ill beging for the opportunity to wash your windshield for a few cents. It’s hearing yet another case of a man killing his wife because she finally tired of his abuse and filled for divorce. The tragedy, injustice, and heartbreak in our world can seem overwhelming.
As I’ve been personally overwhelmed by these things this week, I’ve been reminded of two big things. First, and most importantly, is that God wins for all of us. God created this world awesome and perfect, but we humans have totally messed it up with our sin. Yet, our amazing and loving God chose to come to our rescue, dying on the cross so that all who confess their sins and believe may have eternal life. Listen to how Jesus puts it:
I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand. I and the Father are one. John 10:28-30.
No matter what tragedy may befall us or others in this world NOTHING can take us out of God’s hands. Nothing can take away the gift of a perfect eternity in Heaven we are gracefully given when we confess our sins. In the midst of sorrow and tragedy we need to keep our hearts and minds glued to the fact we are held in God’s perfect hands for all eternity.
The second thing I’ve been reminded of is that we can all be agents of God’s grace amidst the turmoil of this world. We can pray for the afflicted, give towards organizations lending a hand, take time to serve others, and more. We can be used by God to be part of the solution now and for eternity. As Paul tells us in Philippines 2:15: for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.
If the tragedies of the world are getting you down remember these two things. Remember that Jesus died to offer the world the most perfect of gifts: eternal life in a perfect heaven. And, remember that God desires to work through you to make an impact, no matter how small it may seem to you, right here and right now.
