Good morning…
The brutal ugliness of the raging war. The growing death toll after a devastating earthquake. One young mom’s grueling journey with advanced colon cancer. Dear friends offering loving care to their spouses with Alzheimers. Laying to rest a beloved mother, grandmother, friend to many. Waiting with a friend for her daughter’s scan results. All the chaotic transitions unpacked in our class discussions. My parents’ close, lifetime friend reunited with his wife in heaven. A friend’s estranged son caught in a web of addiction, homelessness, gang violence. This week, I feel like a green clay Gumby, stretched extra wide in prayer for all who are hurting, struggling, grieving.
When Jesus said, “In the world you have tribulation and trials and distress and frustration,” he must have been envisioning a week just like this one. His words reach out to lift us up: “…but be of good cheer [take courage; be confident, certain, undaunted]! For I have overcome the world. [I have deprived it of power to harm you and have conquered it for you.]” (John 16:33b, AMPC).
From this side of the empty tomb, we look back to the first part of Jesus’ promise. I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace and confidence (John 16:33a, AMPC). As we remain centered in Christ as Christ remains centered in us, peace, God’s permeating peace, is our enduring source of confidence.
Being stretched wide in prayer, what might it mean for us to somehow access resurrection power on behalf of those slumped down in deep need?
…Sue…
