Life. It is a beautiful concept. Working on a Mother/Baby unit at a local hospital allows me to experience this blessing often. As I sit within the nurse's station on the unit, I have a clear view straight through a large glass window into the well-baby nursery. It is such a joy to see throughout the day newborn after newborn be carried into the nursery right after their birth. I watch as these precious little ones take their first breaths of life....adjusting to this new place called the world. I watch as families stand outside the glass window, anxiously awaiting to meet their precious gift from the Lord. My heart is blessed as I watch this beautiful scene. Life from the Father.
On this Mother/Baby unit we have two hallways. One hallway is filled with new mothers who have just birthed a little one into the world. Life fills the hallway. An abundance of excitement, laughter, and tears of joy can be found in almost every room. Hearts are filled with hope, as a long-awaited gift has finally arrived.
The other hallway is altogether different. This hallway is not filled with new mothers, nor is it filled with the birthing of new life. For many on this hallway, joy can be difficult to even find. Whether it be the result of surgical procedures or complications during pregnancy, many on this hallway have been forced to relinquish the dream of bringing a new life into the world. Disappointment lingers, hearts ache, and for some it would seem as if it they are experiencing the death of a dream.
Two hallways.....two totally different perspectives. Beginnings of life--> death of dreams. But what common theme occurs in both life and death? Hope. Yes, hope is found down each hallway. Circumstances do not determine whether or not hope exists. Isn't it the same in the life of a believer? We have hope in life, and we have hope in death. Not only do we have hope in the physical death, but also in the death of plans and the midst of hurt. We have hope in the birth of plans and desires.....and we have hope in disappointments, heartaches, and the death of dreams. Praise God that our circumstances do not define the lives by which we live.
“He is the God who made the world and everything in it. Since He is Lord of heaven and earth, He doesn’t live in man-made temples, and human hands can’t serve His needs—for He has no needs. He himself gives life and breath to everything, and He satisfies every need. His purpose was for the nations to seek after God and perhaps feel their way toward Him and find Him—though He is not far from any one of us. For in Him we live and move and exist."
Acts 17: 24-25, 27-28a
What a blessing. He gives "life and breath to everything, and He satisfies every need." Even in the midst of pain, He gives life. He takes care of His children. He provides a hope and comfort, even in the midst of difficult circumstances. Wow.....that blesses me. Does it you? While we may experience hurt and disappointment, we are not left without the promise of hope. "He is not far from any one of us."
What hallway do you feel as if you are living on right now? Perhaps some of you even feel as if God has forgotten you way down at the end of the hallway. You long for that feeling of life, and you long for direction. To you, sweet brother and sister in Christ, I would say: "Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise." (Hebrews 10:25) Regardless of what you may endure, we serve a loving God. He is faithful to provide every step of the way. He gives life. My dad reminded of this scripture a couple weeks ago by writing these words on sticky note and placing it in my car: "Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you who belong to Christ Jesus." 1 Thess. 5:16-18 Are you living in that thankfulness? Are you thankful that your joy and hope is not dependent upon those not-so-great circumstances in life? I say "Amen" to that!
By no coincidence have my devotions for the past two weeks been speaking of "Life" one week, and "Death" the next week. As I begin a new week in the devotional book, it focuses upon the love of God. The love of God exists in life and in death.
Day after day, I am reminded of the many people in this world who are hurting. Deep pain that accompanies heartache, disappointment, loneliness, and rejection threatens to steal the abundant joy that God has so freely offered.
Precious one of God, I desire that you know today the life that God has offered. Whether you feel that joy in heart or not.....He is faithful. He has His hand over your life, and He is forever in control. The Author of your life story, the Overcomer of death in this world, the Protector of your heart, the Keeper of each one of your desires, the Giver of life, the divine Lover of your soul.....He is near to you. He loves you, and He will never leave you. Do you believe that?
Praise Him for that hope that exists in the midst of life and death. This is my prayer for you today:
"When I think of all this, I fall to my knees and pray to the Father, the Creator of everything in heaven and on earth. I pray that from His glorious, unlimited resources He will empower you with inner strength through His Spirit. Then Christ will make His home in your hearts as you trust in Him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong. And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God. Now all glory to God, Who is able, through His mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. Glory to Him in the church and in Christ Jesus through all generations forever and ever! Amen."
Ephesians 3:17-21
Amen. Thank you, Jesus. May we be be encouraged in Your love.
Hannah Grace
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