During Spring Break, Jonathan (my husband) and I picked up some of our grandkids to take them to the beach, more than a three-hour drive from their place. The closer we got to our destination, the more excited they became. We passed the last town, with sixty miles ahead of us. It was a remote highway with barely any traffic and spotty cell phone coverage. And then, thirty miles in, it happened. A flat tire.
Jonathan pulled off the road onto the shoulder, next to some grass and a small hill dotted with brush.
Our Tesla comes with no spare tire as standard issue. We were stuck.
Our grandkids played contentedly while Jonathan tried to get help on his phone, which kept dropping the calls. It took forty-five minutes before one of the grandkids could no longer hold back the tears.
An astute child, she explained, “I don’t like it when things feel outside my control, when I don’t know what’s going to happen next. It feels so hopeless.”
I understand those feelings all too well. All my life, I have battled anxiety and tended to catastrophize at the hint of something going wrong. I have also learned to hope in the Lord. He has taken care of me during terrible situations. Now I can override triggers unless they are really big.
I hugged our granddaughter and said, “I don’t like this situation either. There are so many unknowns. What I do know is that there is hope because God will take care of us. I don’t know what it will look like, but I believe everything will be all right.”
What is hope? It is more than wishful thinking. I hope it doesn’t rain tomorrow. Hope is a tenacious certainty and a joyful expectation of God’s goodness grounded in His promises.
Eventually, Jonathan connected with a towing company, Les Schwab tires, and Enterprise car rental—all located in the town we had already passed through. It took an hour for the tow truck to arrive and almost another hour to reach Les Schwab. The driver was a character, freely chatting about local history and mysteries. He was more than willing to satisfy our grandkids’ curiosity. Enterprise had already closed, but they dropped off the rental car at Les Schwab. After a four-hour delay, we arrived safely and gratefully at the motel.
God transformed our misadventure into an adventure. It was a valuable lesson for our grandkids and a powerful reminder for me. Our God is the God who gives us hope. He loves us and cares about every detail of our lives.
I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit (Romans 15:13 NLT).
I recently attended the Wesleyan Holiness Women Clergy conference. It was a wonderful experience with over 600 women clergy who deeply love Jesus and are obedient to answer His call to ministry. Before boarding a plane, I pray for a divine appointment to have a conversation with my seatmate. Sometimes, the person immediately puts in their headphones and stays in their own little world. This time, I had the privilege of talking with a young man traveling to a Pokémon card competition. It was fascinating to hear about his life, career, relationships, Pokémon hobby, and his experience with faith. I asked many questions, and he responded in kind. I didn’t lead him to Jesus, but I did plant some seeds about having a relationship with God. I will be praying that he remains open to the work of the Spirit in his life.
There is power in prayer, but sometimes it gets pushed aside to the backseat. Prayer is just as vital as breathing. When we pray, the Holy Spirit uses us to demonstrate Christ’s love to others.
We are part of God’s family. Christ is supreme; we are spiritually complete. Therefore, we are called and empowered to help others find and follow Jesus. God has chosen to include us in His mission of making disciples who make disciples. We’re in this together. God AND us together.
Our role is to pray for God to help us do His work. Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should. Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone (Colossians 4:2-6).
This passage explains how we should pray, what we should pray for, and how we should behave after praying.
How We Should Pray Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful (Colossians 4:2).
Devoted. Some translations say, “Be faithful to prayer.” Stay steady; don’t give up. Be sincere and purposeful. “Devote” is a strong word, meaning to focus constantly on a person or thing.
Watchful. We must stay awake and alert as we pray. “Watch and pray!” is a phrase often found in the Bible. Its first use was by Nehemiah when he led the rebuilding of Jerusalem’s walls and gates.
Keep your spiritual antennae tuned to the Holy Spirit and let Him guide your prayers. Pray the words that the Holy Spirit provides you.
Thankful. This is a vital part of effective prayer. Giving thanks boosts our energy and faith. Paul was under house arrest, yet he remained thankful. I have a wall hanging that says, “There is always, always, always something to be thankful for.” It’s a good reminder for me, as I tend to focus on things that aren’t going right. We need to stay alert for God’s goodness. “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus“ (1 Thess. 5:18).
Devoted, watchful, and thankful.
What We Should Pray And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should (Colossians 4:3-4).
Notice how purposeful this prayer is.
That God may open a door for our message. That we may proclaim the mystery of Christ. That I may proclaim it clearly as I should.
Too often, our prayers are vague and general. “Lord, bless the missionaries.” Pray for specific needs. That way, you will recognize when God answers and be able to praise Him for it. You can always pray for God’s kingdom to come and His will to be done on earth as it is in heaven. God’s kingdom is about building His family by adopting more kids. He wants people to discover how to be in a relationship with Him through Jesus. As we spend time in God’s Word and with the Lord, we understand His will and can confidently ask Him to do what He has planned. God’s will is always about people finding and following Jesus.
How We Should Act After We Pray We’ve prayed and spent time with the Lord. We have asked, sought, and knocked in agreement with God’s will. Now what? It’s time to act. Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone (Colossians 4:5-6).
We must walk in wisdom in our actions when we are with those who do not yet follow Jesus. The Christian life is not only lived in the prayer closet; there must also be practical, lived-out Christianity in the world. God values both our personal prayer life and how we conduct ourselves in public, and He wants us to care about both as well.
We must be careful not to do or say anything that could hinder sharing the Gospel. This means staying alert to the opportunities God provides for sharing our personal stories of Jesus. It includes doing our work with excellence and a positive attitude, paying our bills, and keeping our promises. We live with integrity and maintain a good reputation in our neighborhood and circles of influence. Your lifestyle can either open the door to sharing the Gospel or close it.
Christians are sometimes perceived as difficult customers, especially in restaurants. Reports and personal experiences support this view. In addition to being impatient and demanding, they tend to leave poor tips. A recent trend is not leaving a tip at all. Instead, some customers leave a tract on the table that appears to be a folded $100 bill. It’s disappointing for waitstaff to get excited about a $100 tip only to unfold it and find a message about how to get to heaven. Such behavior reflects poorly on Christians, who are expected to be generous and loving.
Live your life wisely and seize the opportunities that come your way. Each new day is a gift from God and an opportunity to make a meaningful impact. Stay alert for divine appointments. Share God’s love with others. “While we have opportunity, let us do good to all people” (Galatians 6:10).
A follower of Jesus must ensure that their actions and words are in harmony. Nothing can silence the lips like a careless life. When character, conduct, and conversation align, they create a powerful witness. As recipients of God’s grace, we are uniquely gifted to share grace with others.
When we follow Jesus, we receive wholeness—the fullness of God. Our role is to pray for God to empower us to do His work. Now, what will you do?
My daughter, Jessika, developed an interest in fashion, but she didn’t start out that way. In her younger years, she didn’t care much about her hair or what she wore. Then, in her junior year of high school, she competed in the Junior Miss pageant where she learned how to walk in high heels and dress professionally. Jessika won first place in the pageant and went on to the state competition. Her interest in fashion and hairstyles skyrocketed. Today, with teenage twins of her own, she still keeps up with the trends and lets me know when I fall too far behind the times.
Trends change, but in some areas of society, there are dress codes and expectations regarding how a person should dress. Depending on the occasion, if you don’t comply, you may be asked to leave.
If you attend the Oscars, wear a tuxedo or an evening gown. The superstars go out of their way to wear one-of-a-kind designer clothes to showcase their style, but they still adhere to the code. If you visit the White House, you can dress more casually. Out of respect, they ask that attire be business professional and modest. No jeans or T-shirts are permitted. Dresses should reach past the knee. You won’t be kicked out if you don’t comply, but you will likely stand out. If you have an appointment with the Pope, the tradition is to wear black suits and dresses. Clothing must be modest, with shoulders and midriff covered. Women should wear black lace. The only exception is for Catholic queens, who are allowed to wear white.
Jesus told a parable about a wedding feast hosted by a king. When he entered to see the guests, he noticed a man who was not wearing wedding clothes. He asked, “How did you get in here without wedding clothes, friend?” The man was speechless. The king ordered his attendants to tie him up and throw him out.
I’m not here to tell you what you should or shouldn’t wear. Jesus cares more about our hearts than our clothes. As followers of Jesus, we have a dress code. It’s actually a motivation and behavior code. There are attitudes and actions we need to take off, and there are attitudes and actions we need to put on.
Colossians 3:1-14
Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. 3 For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. 5 Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. 6 Because of these, the wrath of God is coming. 7 You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. 8 But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. 9 Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices 10 and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator. 11 Here there is no Gentile or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all. 12 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13 Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
Set your mind on things above (verse 3). The original Greek word for “set” means “to think” or “exercise the mind.” Focus on, and exercise your mind regarding God’s kingdom. The cross of Jesus has two sides: Death and resurrection. Both of these aspects relate to the follower of Jesus. You have died to your old nature, which is linked to who you were in the past. You are alive in Christ and now connected to a resurrected life with Him.
Two types of life are described in the Bible: the soul life we inherited from Adam and the spirit life that comes from God. It’s the second kind that is described here. Your true life in Christ is eternal and secure, but it is also hidden. Think of a pearl in an oyster shell. You are concealed and enveloped in Christ.
When Jesus comes again, we will come with Him in glory.
Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature, your old self. “Put to death” means – turning it into a corpse, decomposing completely. Sin was and still is very much alive. We must be dedicated to putting sin down, and we have the power when we submit to the Holy Spirit.
In verse 5, Paul illustrates the old nature. He continues by stating that in Jesus, we are called to a higher standard. “You used to walk in these ways, but now rid yourselves of these…”
The old behaviors are inconsistent with your identity in Christ. Don’t settle for that old, inferior way of living. A new life in Jesus calls out to you. You are a butterfly; don’t crawl like a worm.
Then Paul goes on to say, “Clothe yourselves with…” (verse 12).
As followers of Jesus with a new life in Him, we strive to live as He did. Above all, God looks at our hearts, from which our behavior flows.
Keep in mind that the pagan religions of that time said little or nothing about personal morality. What a person believed had no direct relationship with how they behaved, and nobody would condemn them for their actions. God’s ways are different.
Christ is all and in all. The Holy Spirit dwells within every believer, regardless of any external factors. Discrimination and disrespect based on race, gender, religion, address, political affiliation, social status, or other factors have no place in the kingdom of God.
As followers of Jesus, we embrace our new identity in Christ and focus our thoughts on things above. Our way of life isn’t rooted in self-discipline, self-denial, or self-improvement; rather, it is a life led by the Holy Spirit, reflecting the reality of Christ within us. This is who we are now. We concentrate on the kingdom of God, allowing our actions to be directed by Christ’s authority. We stand firm in His victory and rely on Him through the trials and challenges of life.
There’s nothing in this world like following Jesus.
The last verse in the section says, “And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.” Overall… pay attention… this is the most important thing. When you put on love, all will be well. Put on love. Wrap yourself in His love from head to toe. Knowing and putting on the love of God is the most crucial thing we can do.
Jesus said, “Love others as I have loved you.” By embracing love, we can share His love with others. We will actively engage in His mission.
Are you clinging to a part of your old self? Surrender it to Jesus. Out with the old; in with the new. Through the transformative power of the Holy Spirit.
In 1614, scientist Galileo Galilei was accused of heresy for supporting the Copernican theory, which claimed that the sun was at the center of the solar system. This idea was revolutionary at a time when most people believed the Earth was the center of the universe. The Catholic Church upheld this view as part of its doctrine. In 1616, the church banned Galileo from teaching or promoting these theories.
In 1632, Galileo was once again condemned for heresy after publishing a book. He was called to appear before the Inquisition in Rome, where he was convicted and sentenced to life in prison, and eventually placed under permanent house arrest at his villa.
Today, we take it for granted that the sun, not the Earth, is at the center of our galaxy.
When we read through the book of Colossians, Paul focuses on two main ideas: Jesus is supreme, and Jesus offers us wholeness. Understanding God’s fullness encourages us to dedicate our lives to Him. When we see that Jesus is superior, we become more like Him. Through Jesus, we become the complete person God intends us to be. We find wholeness when we make Jesus the center of our lives, not ourselves. You become whole, and I become whole only when Jesus is at the center.
Jesus is the true center.
Colossians 1:9-14 NIV
9 For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you. We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives, 10 so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, 11 being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, 12 and giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you[b] to share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light. 13 For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
This is what Jesus has provided for us.
What a beautiful depiction of who we can become in Christ! Paul wouldn’t have prayed these things if they weren’t attainable.
A crisis had emerged that threatened to destroy the ministry of the Colossian church, and Paul felt compelled to step in. Paul needed to pray because false teachers had infiltrated the church. The followers of Jesus were confused about the true gospel and the false gospel.
Paul was deeply concerned about this group of believers. The purpose of his letter was to teach the truth and correct their course. He wanted them to understand the truth and move that direction.
The false teachers denied the true nature of Jesus. Once Christian believers identified the deception, they could genuinely follow Jesus in their daily lives. Wrong doctrine results in wrong living.
The Colossian Heresy, as it is called, was a mix of Jewish legalistic teachings that required strict self-denial and abstinence from anything considered indulgent, Gentile polytheism, in which many gods were worshiped, and Gnostic practices. The Gnostics believed that all physical matter—anything you can see, hear, smell, taste, or touch—was evil. These beliefs led to two extreme practices. (1) Reduce contact with evil or be indifferent to the sensory world. (2) Follow fully one’s desires and impulses.
Following Jesus required neither of these things. Let’s look again at all the things Paul mentioned that were given to the Colossian believers.
Wisdom and understanding provided by the Holy Spirit.
The ability to live a life worthy of the Lord that pleases Him in every way.
Every good deed produces fruit.
Growing in the knowledge of God.
Strength sourced from God’s glorious power for enduring patience.
A share of the inheritance in the kingdom of light.
This all comes from following Jesus. Nothing else is needed.
Verses 13 and 14 are one of my favorite passages. “God has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.”
Before trusting and following Jesus, we lived in darkness, in the realm of evil. However, God rescued us through Jesus’s sacrifice and brought us into His kingdom, the kingdom of light.
All of this comes from following Jesus; there is nothing else to add.
The Book of Psalms is known as a worshipful and uplifting collection of songs. There are some favorites, like Psalm 23.
The Lord is my Shepherd, I have everything I need (v.s 1 NLT). Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me (v. 4).
Or Psalm 136.
Give thanks to the Lord for He is good! His faithful love endures forever (v. 1).
Or Psalm 150.
Praise the Lord! Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty heaven! Praise him for his mighty works; praise his unequaled greatness! (vv. 1-2).
It’s true that the Psalms are beautiful and poetic. Some are also raw, gloomy, and desperate. King David and other authors did not hide their emotions; they approached God honestly. All of it is worship. Sometimes we mistakenly think we need to come to God with a happy face and heart. Come to Jesus as you are.
I was recently deeply moved by Psalm 89. I encourage you to read it. Little is known about the author. His name was Ethan the Ezrahite. He was a young man at King David’s court, well known for his wisdom.
The first 37 verses praise the Lord’s unconditional love and honor Him for His creation. King David is lifted up as one whose dynasty will last forever, but it depends on his descendants’ obedience.
Suddenly, verses 48 through 51 take a sharp turn. David faces rejection and defeat by his enemies. His former glory has faded, and God’s anger burns against him like fire. David is insulted and disgraced. What just happened?
And then, the last verse comes out of nowhere.
Praise the Lord forever! Amen and amen! (v. 52)
The ending of the psalm holds significance.
There is strength in expressing gratitude. I don’t mean pretending everything is okay when it’s not. Honesty is the best policy, and God knows anyway.
Instead, no matter what is happening in your life, you can praise the Lord amidst it all. Don’t focus on the problem. Yes, it’s there. Focus on the solution, which is always Jesus!
The other day, I was dealing with a bad attitude. I was tired and not feeling well (not a good excuse). I complained, “Lord, I don’t want to take my medicine!” Can you hear the whiny tone of voice?
The Lord gently replied, “Why not praise me that you have medicine that helps?”
I responded, “But I don’t want to have to take it.”
The Lord patiently coached, “Why not praise me that you are alive today to take the medicine?”
His words pierced my heart. I praised Jesus from the depths of my soul for the life He had given me, and for His never-ending love.
No matter what happens in your life, praise the Lord through it all. At the very least, end your day by praising the Lord.
I believe I understand why Ethan the Ezrahite concluded the psalm with praise. In his wisdom, he recognized that praise and worship are the best responses. No matter what you’re going through right now, praise the Lord in the middle of it all.
Always praise the Lord. As a follower of Jesus, you’ll be doing that forever.
Last week I attended my fortieth class reunion. A few days before, my daughter asked me what I would tell my eighteen-year-old self. I thought hard about it and decided to write myself a letter. There were actually so many things I wanted to share. I could probably write a book, but I condensed it to a letter. Here’s what I decided would be important.
Dear Eighteen-Year-Old Self,
I’m here to share some wisdom gained over time that you might find hard to believe or understand. Still, I hope you’ll hold onto these words and keep them in mind for when the time is right.
You love Jesus, which is the best foundation for life. He has changed your heart in many ways, and your passion to follow Him every day will give you strength. As you seek to know Jesus more, you will be transformed to become like Him. That is your deep desire, but it won’t happen the way you imagine. The journey is long and not easy.
Right now, you believe that faith will protect you from suffering and sickness. If you have enough faith in the Word of God, you will be blessed with financial and personal prosperity. That’s what you’re being taught now, and you look to your mentors as stellar examples. However, this is an incomplete teaching. In fact, this way of thinking actually diminishes faith, making it about you and what you can gain rather than how you can bless Jesus and others.
The way of Jesus is the way of sacrifice and suffering. Our human nature hates accepting this truth. Nevertheless, it is part of God’s upside-down Kingdom where true meaning is found.
The path of Jesus is one of sacrifice and suffering. Our human nature resists accepting this truth. However, it is part of God’s upside-down Kingdom where true purpose is discovered.
Following the way of Jesus means to sacrifice.
~The first shall be last. ~Carry your cross every day. ~Love your enemies. ~Take care of people who cannot repay you. ~It is more blessed to give than to receive. ~Turn the other cheek. ~Be a servant of all.
Jesus left the perfection of heaven for us. He ministered to the crowds even when He was exhausted. Jesus stayed true to His mission despite being misunderstood, hated, and ultimately crucified. He laid down His life for us, the ultimate sacrifice. You already know all this, but you haven’t had many chances to practice it. Life will require you to sacrifice more than you can imagine. View it as a way to love Jesus and others as Jesus loves you.
Following Jesus involves accepting suffering.
You may face the consequences of your own choices or end up in a broken world filled with broken people. Sometimes, it will make no sense. Even during the darkest moments – and they will come – Jesus, through His Spirit, is always there.
When we suffer, it opens a door to our soul if we lean on Jesus. Suffering smooths out the jagged edges of who God has created us to be. There will be seasons in life that are excruciating. Suffering is the crucible in which you will learn to trust Jesus more, along with perseverance.
You might hit rock bottom. Know with all your heart that Jesus is with you as your Rock. He will uphold you, and keep you from drowning.
You are loved by the God who has given you everything. He loves you and values you unconditionally. You don’t need to strive for perfection. His love for you isn’t based on your performance. Understanding the depth and profoundness of Jesus’ love will bring you true freedom.
You will not find validation through people, not even your husband. Over time, you will realize that God’s promise to teach you His “love through your relationship with Jonathan” means something different than you expect. In your marriage, you will face trials and pain together. Jesus, through His Spirit, will surround you with the love you long for. You will experience His enduring faithfulness. You have found the one in whom your soul delights.
However, life is not meant to be lived alone. You can’t grow in your relationship with Jesus in isolation. Being part of a community is essential—a small group of people with mutual love, accountability, honesty, vulnerability, and trust. It may take a while to figure this out, but someday you will discover the life-giving blessing.
Your life verse will be: Love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your mind, all your soul, and all your strength; and love your neighbor as yourself (Mark 12:29-31). Aim to live this out in every way.
There are many more lessons I’ve learned, but you’ll discover them along the way. You have what it takes as you spend time with Jesus, become like Jesus, and do what Jesus did.
Grace and peace to you! ❤️
Your fifty-eight-year-old self
Maybe you aren’t eighteen years old, but something in this letter touched you. Keep it close to your heart. We are all on a journey of faith, becoming more of who Jesus created us to be, if we let Him. Jesus has the wholeness of soul you seek. He will sit with you in your brokenness. Often, He will bring healing; other times, He will give you the strength and hope during your weakest moments.
Trust Jesus to work in your life, no matter if you’re eighteen or eighty-eight (or older).
My granddaughter, Emma, has a talent for asking questions. She wants to understand what’s happening around her and make sense of her world. The problem is that, for the past year or so, her world hasn’t made sense. Our family has faced numerous hardships and heartbreaks. I long for predictability and stability for myself, my husband, our children, and our grandchildren, but our experiences often shake that longing to the core. Emma’s parents are wise and do their best to answer her “whys.” Sometimes, it isn’t enough for her searching soul.
Nevertheless, asking “why” can be powerful, leading to discovery and understanding. Our eyes may be opened to see the bigger picture more clearly. As we search the Scriptures and seek God in prayer, we learn to know and love Him more. However, there are times when asking “why” does not satisfy, and the answers we receive fall short.
We may never know why. Life can be tough. Amid the beauty and happiness, there can be unexpected tragedies and crises—illness, financial struggles, broken relationships, shattered dreams. My daughter-in-law introduced me to a song by Jet Trouble called “I Need You.” I’ve been listening to it every day on repeat. During life’s raw, painful, and confusing moments, Jesus is never offended by my honest and genuine questions. Even when I cry out in anger or doubt. When brokenness surrounds me and becomes part of me, the bottom line is, “I need You.” And I lean on Jesus.
God has given us many promises. He promises to provide us with His peace, comfort, and strength. However, He never promises to give us answers. When we find ourselves in a fog of uncertainty, we can lean on Jesus.
The Apostle John is known as the Apostle of Love. Love runs throughout His Gospel and three epistles. In his early years as Jesus’ disciple, he was part of the inner circle. During the Last Supper, he is described as “leaning on Jesus’ bosom” (John 13:23 NKJV). We don’t talk like that today. Back then, this was a gesture of deep affection and closeness, signifying a special bond between Jesus and John. As John leaned on Jesus, he showed his love and trust in Him.
Will we love Him? Will we trust Him? Will we lean on Jesus?
Job lost everything and suffered intensely. God appeared to him and revealed His glory, but He never explained Himself. Job was restored and blessed, but he was never given the full backstory that we read in the first two chapters of Job. However, after the divine encounter that left Job speechless, Job realized he could lean on God. (Jesus hadn’t arrived on the scene yet.)
Jesus is always enough. There are many reasons we might suffer. Maybe it’s the consequences of our own choices. Or it’s the result of others’ selfish and sinful actions. Or we suffer because we live in a fallen world that is far from God’s original, perfect design. No matter the reason, knowing the “why” doesn’t take away our pain.
But we must avoid getting stuck in the endless cycle of “why.” It leads us nowhere. Instead, declare the unchanging truth, “I need You!”
Jesus is our greatest need.
Jesus said, “I am the good shepherd; I know my own sheep, and they know me” (John 10:14 NLT). Jesus sees you and knows you.
Will we love Him? Will we trust Him? Will we lean on Jesus?
Every day is a gift from God, no matter where we are. He has given us today. Nothing can separate us from His love (Romans 8:39). Whether we have answers or not, we must lean on Jesus. We can fully trust in Him.
The J Word 