This is a writing long overdue. A culmination of things came crashing down on me lately, which led to anguish, horror, and terror. I certainly didn't feel like praising God. In truth, I felt more like screaming. Where is God in the midst of this jumbled mess? The shootings, the failures, the disappointments, the diseases. As I lay in bed thinking all this, something came to me.
"For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” (Jeremiah 29:11 NIV)
And somehow, I felt a bit better. I'm not saying my troubles magically disappeared, but I knew God wasn't going to leave me hanging. He knows my life and won't leave.
But still, is all of this necessary? I can't watch the news without wincing or feeling like I am going to cry. This is what has become of God's perfect world He created? Will it ever end?
I remember all too clearly December 13, 2013. I remember hiding in the back of the classroom praying to God to do something, anything. I thought about how I could try to protect those with me. I thought about my parents and my sisters. And yet, as I huddled, terrified any moment could be my last, I felt a sense of calm wash over me. It was completely irrational, but I felt as if God was wrapping his arms around me. And while I think of that, I think of another verse:
“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.”(John 16:33, NIV)
He's got it. God has overcome the world. That's really hard to take in. The God who oversees the universe took time to comfort me when I needed it most.
After that day, it seems to me that there have been many more shootings, or maybe its just I am more aware of them. In the book of Revelation, it describes how the world will become a horrible place, with many false prophets and people turning away from the Lord, more than ever before. The antichrist will come and claim he is God. Actually, this sounds a little like today. More crimes are being committed every day, and it seems so easy to just throw in the towel. But the Bible says Jesus will return to the Earth.
In Revelation 22:20-21, it says, ‘He who testifies to these things says, “Yes, I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.’
And I could not agree more. Come, please, Jesus. This world needs you. We need you desperately. But until the appointed time, which only God knows, I will keep faith. I must keep faith, and keep my eyes on the day when, “He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away” (Revelation 21:4).
