In the Flash of a Moment

Our journey, in this life, may not always lead where we thought it would. A distraction may have taken us away from the morals we once knew, and practiced. Animosity may have relocated us to uncharted territories. Pain, and illness may have shattered our self-image so much that we are embarrassed to leave the comfort of our four walls. Fear may be slowly eating away, as our world seems to be, inwardly, crashing.
In our deepest, and darkest of despair, it may be difficult to see the beauty which surrounds us. We may be so consumed by the pouring rain that we cannot see the rainbow, or sun shining though the clouds. We may be months, or even years, removed from the, seemingly, endless days of golden sunlight. No matter how deep the valley is, we must remember that we are not travelling this journey alone. The Lord, Jesus Christ, will forever be by our side. He washes away our salty tear stains, mends our most fragile heart, heals our battered body, and saves our condemned soul.
The Holy Bible teaches us in I Thessalonians 5:18, In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. This is not an easy task, though not impossible. The looming dark clouds quite often sap encouragement, joy, peace, and love. During these troubling times, we need to lift our face, and hands towards Heaven, as we cry out to Jesus. It is not that He has abandoned us, but, instead, has allowed us to endure heartache to gain understanding, humility, perspective, and patience. The Lord’s silence is not a rejection of our request. Yet, it is a time for us to be still, and know He is, and will always be, in control of all things.

As we enter this season of Thanksgiving and Christmas, let us remember that there are shattered lives in our midst. We may have been down a beaten road, but maybe not. Our past aside, we have the ability to, positively, touch the lives, and hearts of others. Instead of passing judgment because someone appears unclean, melancholy, distant, or different, we need to exhort compassion, and hope. There are, too, those who hide behind a mask of cheer, laughter, smiles, and joy when, realistically, they are experiencing anguishing pain, and untold brokenness. A smile, or a kind gesture may not seem like much, but to those suffering, it will brighten a day beyond any explanation, and be an unforgettable memory. If we take just a brief pause in this chaotic world, we can impact the lost.