Back from Beyond

Our God is a God of restoration. No matter what happens, He is a constant in a world of inconsistency.

"Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever." -Hebrews 13:8

"The Lord will never desert his people or abandon those who belong to Him." -Psalm 94:14

"I trust the mercy of God forever and ever. I will give thanks to you forever for what you have done. In the presence of godly people, I will wait with hope in your good name." -Psalm 52:8-9

Idle words? I recently had a conversation with a friend who shared the story of a young man who had lost the only family he had. He was officially all alone...his world had hit rock bottom and than some. To share "feel-good" scripture verses with that individual would not only be ridiculous but utter nonsense. I asked my friend what he said to this individual and the response was simple yet insightful. "Absolutely nothing." Simply being there to listen and show true empathy and Christ's love. When we or others are going through dark periods, we as Christians are not called to come to the rescue with all the answers. Because quite frankly we don't have them. I have found through my own personal losses that these scripture verses only mean something after we have been through the waters and not drowned. It is then you can read them through tearful eyes and bowed knees and marvel at the goodness and faithfulness of a loving Saviour who won't let go even when you want to.

I can see no greater way of spreading the gospel of Christ than to being empathetic and compassionate towards those around us. It was a lesson that was taught to me on my Missions Trip to Germany and reverberates even stronger today.