Over the weekend, our small community had a teen commit suicide after the football game (a few blocks from our home) and a teacher was killed in front of his family by an armed robber. Then, this morning, we wake up and hear the news out of Las Vegas--that THIS is the biggest mass shooting our country has ever seen. Absolutely pure evil.
Yet, I hear the still small voice inside me say, "Finally, my brothers and sisters, always think about what is true. Think about what is noble, right and pure. Think about what is lovely and worthy of respect. If anything is excellent or worthy of praise, think about those kinds of things." (Phil. 4:8) & "The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit." (Ps. 34:18) & "I have told you these things so that in Me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." (John 16:33)
So, you know how I spent my day?
I am not promised tomorrow, but I have been given today, and I refuse to the let Terror and Fear have any of this precious time I've been given. There's too much at stake. Too much depends on me, on us, on this Light that the darkness knows will overcome it. So like a tiny little candle in a big dark room, we will shine. We will love. We will focus on the good and noble things in this world. And we will see Jesus overcome one day. Yes, we will see Him overcome.
"I would have lost heart, unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord in the land of living. Wait on the Lord; Be of good courage and He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the Lord!" Psalm 27:13-14
5 comments:
"The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit" - thanks for sharing this; I always find such comfort in that verse. I'm so sorry to hear about your local tragedies, too. We recently had a school shooting, which took the life of one student, in a nearby rural community (Freeman High School - you may have heard of it, but school shootings get far less media coverage than they used to, so maybe not?). So I know how horrible it can be to have tragedy layered on tragedy, at the local and then national (not to mention international!) level. It's horrific.
I love, though, that you're choosing to show Christ's love to those around you, and to be the light to your circle. I've been feeling convicted, too, in the light of these tragedies - we are God's co-workers and there's so much we are called to do to protect the vulnerable and to bind up the broken-hearted. Thanks for these thoughts.
I'm so glad you're blogging again - welcome back :)
Thank you for the reminder that what we focus on grows and that God is the light in this dark world. Focus, focus, focus. ❤️
Thank you so much for your kind words. It's so tough to process evil, but if we focus on our part and how we can prove the world, it sure helps to keep functioning and moving ahead. Love you and miss you so!
Yes! It was a fresh reminder to my heart to focus on what is good because it's the only way ❤
have a great day
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