Shining a Light

After what was a much better week we have had yet another blow.

A young man S has been friends with passed away from heart failure on Saturday. It was a huge unexpected blow. He was 16 yrs old. His friends and family are all reeling from the loss. S is reeling from the blows she’s received over these past couple of weeks.

This morning while on the elliptical I was listening to Hillsong and praying and asking God what in the world was happening…how did he want me to respond?

These are the lyrics of the song that then came on:
It’s called At The Cross
by Morgan, Reuben; Zschech, Darlene

Oh Lord You’ve searched me
You know my way
Even when I fail You
I know You love me

Your holy presence
Surrounding me
In every season
I know You love me
I know You love me

At the cross I bow my knee
Where Your blood was shed for me
There’s no greater love than this
You have overcome the grave
Your glory fills the highest place
What can separate me now

You go before me
You shield my way
Your hand upholds me
I know You love me

You tore the veil
You made a way
When You said that it is done

And when the earth fades
Falls from my eyes
And You stand before me
I know You love me
I know You love me

‘You have overcome the grave
Your glory fills the highest place
What can separate me now…

You tore the veil
You made a way
When You said that it is done’

These lines hit me like a ton of bricks….

This past week KLOVE radio station was running a contest asking listeners to send in videos explaining ‘Why Jesus’ in other words why they followed Him, love Him, chose Him.

And as I listened to the lyrics of this song I had my answer… I have always known why I follow him. But these words summed it up for me.

He overcame the grave!
His Glory fills the highest place!
He tore the veil!
He made a way!

Death here on earth for a follower of Christ isn’t the end. No matter how crazy things get here, no matter how much loss, how much pain, how much crap we keep trying to deal out… He has made a way!

Babies die, teens die, parents grow old, people get sick, people are mean, there is homelessness, there are orphans and war and famine.

We are mean, we get grouchy, we get sad, we say things we shouldn’t… we just do not understand how all the junk happens in life…

Why Jesus? Because this world needs a light. There’s so so much darkness. He came so that there may be light in the darkness.

John 8:12 12When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."

So, what am I to do? How do I help my S get through these tough times? How do I help myself?

Matthew 5:15-16 15Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.

How are you shining?