Perspective...

She is a four time breast cancer survivor and she is currently mentoring my youngest with his Eagle project.

I have known her for 4 years and yet I never knew her story until earlier in February at their first meeting together. Her constant smiles and joyful attitude publicly replace eyes that have wept for nights on end at home alone.

Is she strong? Yes.

Is she weak? Absolutely.

She’s carnal. And she lives in the flesh.

Yet she chooses to see past her circumstances to keep her joy in the Lord by knowing who she is and who He is.

She is human and has surrendered.

God is sovereign.

Perspective...

How is it that some seem to ebb and flow with life’s difficulties, pausing briefly, then rebounding with grace, while others trudge through the thick mud just hoping for sure footing? Where do we go to seek foundational assurance and a joy that puts pep back in to our steps?

Paul has an answer. And it has been a recent safety rope for me.

Philippians 4:4-8 shares the good news about rejoicing in the Lord. And then he repeats it again as if his prison cell echos weren’t loud enough...

'And again I say rejoice.'

Jude and I met up with her once again later in February, and after the session had ended and Jude had left, she and I lingered for more conversation. Some things are actually harder to hear than a four time breast cancer survivor.

Words like abuse, both verbal and physical.

Words like caged.

Circumstances can often derail us. The reality is that people are suffering. We live in a fallen world. And no amount of righteous living or animal sacrifices was going to break those chains and reconcile us back to a perfect union in a perfect garden.

We had been kicked out...

It was going to take a perfect sacrifice and a risen Savior.

This love. This hope.

No strings attached. Not conditional.

Certainly capable of breaking chains.

And this good news is what we, in our joy and in our suffering, can take comfort. We can hold fast to the promises of God; knowing, in full assurance, this too shall pass. So while Paul encourages me to ‘rejoice in the Lord always, and again I say rejoice’, Jeremiah tells me that my Lord knows the plans He has set in place for me. Plans for a better future.

His sovereignty can reduce our anxieties, our worries, our stresses. Knowing that the one who spoke this world into existence, already knows my story. The meanderings around the curve that we don’t know, yet He does, can give us comfort and peace.

It certainly does me...

In this season where most recognize and celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ, let us remember also the love that sent him to that cross. 

Without a willingness to surrender, there wouldn’t be a resurrection.

When dark clouds roll in and life seems to have overtaken, and you find yourself wondering about your worth...

Reflect on this:

What are you worth? Does God see you?

And the answer will always be the same...

You are worth Jesus to God.

Let that sink in for a minute.

And not only are you worth that much, but Jesus willingly surrendered it all for you.

Charlie Mackesy got it right when he was quoted as saying, 

‘It really is all about love’...

Unconditional, real, authentic, sacrificial, servant-minded, relational, and tender love...