Death and chaos. All around. Seemingly. And while beautiful things can rise from the ashes of loss, craters are often left in their wake. 

Tragedy? To our finite minds, it is simply not how it’s meant to be. Young lives are meant to be lived. After all, didn’t Christ come to give LIFE to the fullest? 

I wonder…when Job fell on his face to worship the Lord after losing everything and everyone…how heavy was that fall? I see it almost like it’s in slow motion…a rippling out of earth from that epicenter that could cause an earthquake strong enough to shatter the continents. Could his bones even hold him up any longer? Is this what truly relying on God looks like- we literally can no longer hold ourselves up- so we fall, or crumple, at his feet?

A friend texted recently with a list – a long list – of all the people she knew who were sick, in pain, losing loved ones…facing tragedy…dying…and she said, “The weary world is struggling to rejoice.” Indeed, so it seems, but that means we must remind ourselves of some truth.

Christmas is long over. My decorations are neatly tucked away in their boxes except for one thing. This year, I just wanted to leave it out a while longer. My heart needs to be reminded that we do have HOPE, and we WILL rejoice. 

Jesus-the God-man- our Hope-He looked around and saw death. I imagine his heart shattering as he witnessed first hand, with vulnerable human eyes, the depth of the destruction sin leaves in its wake. And he wept. And he WAS the Hope. So I know that we can weep and still look to our Hope. 

Friend, the promises of God are trustworthy and true. They give us reason to rejoice.

“You will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will turn into joy…I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart, I have overcome the world.”

~Jesus (John 16:20b,33)

Past tense. “I have overcome…” It is done. Finished. The work is complete. That is a promise we can rest on. He has overcome! Take heart. Be encouraged. Let that thrill of Hope rise up in you. Morning is coming.