Jesus Wins.

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Oh friends. . . 


Are you feeling the heaviness of this world? I don’t really know what the right thing is to say today. I can’t believe it happened again. More death at the hands of an 18-yr-old kid. 


I want to encourage you, but within that, as my sister-friend expressed to me last night, we need to take time to grieve. It’s okay to grieve. It’s important to grieve the loss of life. 


However, we cannot allow ourselves to succumb to the darkness and hopelessness of that which we grieve. It’s easy to feel despair during these times. I have to remind myself that none of this is brand new. These are issues Ecclesiastes talks about in the Bible. It’s nothing our Creator can’t handle.


“History merely repeats itself. It has all been done before. Nothing under the sun is truly new.” -Ecclesiastes 1:9


It feels as if evil reigns. That’s how it feels, but I want to remind you that this is not the end of the story. 



Jesus says in John 16:33 “. . .In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” 


You get that? Jesus wins.


But what do we do in the meantime? It’s not enough to recite the words, “Our thoughts and prayers are with you.” 


Pray of course. Cry out to the Lord and ask Him to change every one of us— but take time to love. Invest in people. Take time to talk to that person who seems lonely or sad. Smile and look at people in the eyes. Every one of us wants to be seen— to be known. 


Stop trying to change people. That’s not our job.


Love them. 


Love is what changes people. Remember that you may be the only Jesus people see. Don’t just talk about Him. Show Him. Be his hands and feet. 


“Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that.” ― Martin Luther King Jr.


May the LORD bless you and protect you. May the LORD smile on you and be gracious to you. May the LORD show you his favor and give you his peace. (Numbers 6:24-26)


Regardless of what it may feel like today. . . I promise He is for you.

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