Turning to My Lord for Help with Life's Craziness

Dear Fellow Children of God,

 

How do you make sense of a crazy world? 

 

Does life today seem to move too fast?  When I asked a mother this week how she was doing, the answer was, “Always busy.”  I am finding that this mother is not unique, but busy-ness is today’s norm, and struggle.

 

On Thursday night I was at the fundraising banquet for Heartreach Crisis Pregnancy Center.  In the middle of a moving witness to the love of God, the speaker, Stephen Arterburn, also shared frustration.  He shared his frustration with the current presidential election.  However, I am finding out that such frustration is not unique, but is the norm.

 

As a pastor I get to listen to and care for families and individuals in regard to their hopes, their fears, and their prayers.  My experience as pastor is that troubles are the norm with which God’s people live, not the exception.  It has always been that way, but it seems more so in these times.

 

Christians should not be surprised at life’s struggles, frustrations, and trials.  The results of sin and rebellion against the Lord and Creator of our world show themselves only too plainly.  Sinful behavior on our part, and on the part of everyone else, leads to lives that struggle with time challenges, or to lives that struggle with political frustrations, or to lives full of family and individual challenges. 

 

So, how does a child of God and believer in Jesus make sense of a crazy world?  Jesus gives us an example of how He dealt with this world’s challenges.  At the beginning of His ministry, after Jesus called his disciples, he went to his ministry home in Capernaum.  There Jesus encountered a possessed man in the Synagogue.  There Jesus healed Peter’s mother in law.  And then Jesus was confronted with the overwhelming needs of the people of Capernaum.  We are told in Mark 1:33-35

 

32 That evening after sunset the people brought to Jesus all the sick and demon-possessed. 33 The whole town gathered at the door, 34 and Jesus healed many who had various diseases. He also drove out many demons, but he would not let the demons speak because they knew who he was. 35 Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.

 

Imagine having a whole town show up at the home where you are staying, and everyone expects you to help with their individual needs for help.  Obviously, as the Son of God, Jesus healed and helped many of the people that evening.  Yet, Jesus was also a man who had a bigger mission from God than to just help one town.  How did Jesus deal with the onslaught He faced?  Perhaps verse 35 struck you as it does me.  35 Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.

 

Jesus left the “craziness” of that town behind for a time, and spent time alone with His Heavenly Father in prayer.  Time alone with God is such a privilege.  Imagine, the Lord and Ruler of the universe has time for us!  But, God does call us to come to Him.  Going to our Lord makes sense in a world made crazy because of our sin.  When life seems out of control, what wisdom to go the one who is our rock and foundation!

 

When the sin and rebellion of our world cause confusion and frustration, what a blessing to be able to go to our Lord and Savior.  The cure for sin against God is forgiveness from God.  God gives us that forgiveness through repentance and through faith in His Son, our Savior, Jesus.  The world may still seem out of control, but we can live in the peace of the love and forgiveness God gives in Jesus.

 

And, I am convinced that time with God Himself, alone in prayer, is one of the under-used gifts that God’s children have.  God promises to listen when we pray.  He promises to answer our cries for help.  I have seen God answering prayer again this week in amazing ways.  What a powerful help for a crazy world – time with our Lord and Savior in prayer!

 

When Jesus faced the overwhelming needs and demands of the world around Him, we know what He did.  35 Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.

 

When your world is crazy do you spend time alone in prayer with your Heavenly Father?  Morning is my favorite time.  How about you? 

 

A Child of God, Turning to My Lord for help with Life’s Craziness,

Pastor Jonathan

 

 

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ABOUT ‘THOUGHTS FROM THE PASTOR’ -   I am sending these e-mail messages, hopefully weekly, to all St. John members and friends whose e-mails I have.  (I am regularly adding new names of friends and members – in case you are just receiving this e-mail for the first time.)  However, if you don’t want to receive this e-mail, please let me know, and I’ll gladly leave your name off my list for this message.

 

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