Living in a messy world.

Hello friends and neighbors, welcome to the wonderful world of warped and wacky words sent out with the hope that a few of them will end up being words of wit and wisdom. It is Thursday, November 12, 2009 and I am here to tell you that we are living in a messy world. Pictures do tell a story. One of the things I do almost every day is to peruse a variety of news websites that have cataloged still pictures from that particular day. Yesterday I viewed a series of photographs from the memorial service at Fort Hood, Texas. Photo after photo showed moms, dads, or other family members hugging the photograph of their lost loved one. In that same series there were photos of six coffins from a service in Britain to honor those recently killed in combat in Afghanistan. Another shot showed a small casket with a grieving family where a weather event had taken their child away. There was also a picture of a state trooper from Arkansas looking at the wreckage from a head on collision that claimed five lives. Some might put forth a ‘just say no’ way of avoiding looking at things like this, but folks, this is the world we live in, this is the mess that surrounds our existence, and choosing not to see it will not make it go away.

Some days these images impact me more than others. I will admit that with age I have grown more sentimental. The Patriarch Job lamented that man is born of few days that are filled up with much trouble. (Job 14:1) Does this mean that we have to live life with a “sky is falling” type of outlook? No way! We can live a life of hope, joy, fulfillment, and peace as we walk with the God who knows about it all. Jesus said that in this world we would suffer tribulation and trial but that we should not lose hope. Why? Because He has overcome death, hell, and the grave on behalf of any and all who put their faith and trust in Him. (See John 16:33) The Psalmist said that some put their trust in chariots and horses, meaning their own strength or means, while we put our trust in the Lord our God. (See Psalms 20:7) My Paw Paw Mac’s favorite song comes to mind: I don’t know about tomorrow but I know Who holds my hand. Folks, I can’t even begin to imagine how anyone can cope with this life and maintain any semblance of peace without the reality of this song being the testimony of their life.

Yes, we do live in a messy world occupied by a fallen race capable of some horrific acts. Some of these disturb our peace and hurt our hearts, however, we can take our burdens to the Lord who offers His own peace that transcends human understanding. This song came to my mind: “Verse 1) There is a place of quiet rest, Near to the heart of God, A place where sin cannot molest, Near to the heart of God. Verse 2) There is a place of comfort sweet, Near to the heart of God, A place where we our Savior meet, Near to the heart of God. Verse 3) There is a place of full release Near to the heart of God A place where all is joy and peace Near to the heart of God. Chorus) O Jesus, blest Redeemer, Sent from the heart of God, Hold us who wait before Thee Near to the heart of God." Are these some tough days to deal with given all the stuff out there along with our own stuff? You better believe it! But be encouraged and read the words of that song because we, as believers, can find our rest near the heart of the God who loves us! Amen. …..More later.