Artist Austin Zucchini-Fowler’s new mural – Denver, Colorado / (Denver Post article)
Father, I am so glad that I can come before You every day. It makes no difference when…or where. Regardless of my circumstances, You join me. I call on You throughout the day and You are with me. What comfort You bring…
Luke 9:23-25 (<<click to read the passage)
As I sat to write yesterday, there was a lot more on my heart and mind that what I got together for Wednesday’s post. So, as everything moved along last night, I quickly realized that part of it would have to wait until today.
Through different eras, there are challenges thrust upon us. The last global challenge for our very existence was World War II. I was reading a friend’s post earlier and it shared the story of an 80+ year-old-man. He said, “You know, I was a little boy during WWII. Those were scary days. We didn’t know if we were going to be speaking English, German or Japanese at the end of the war. There was no certainty, no guarantees…”
Millions of lives were lost in that global conflict. Many had no choice – where they lived, what their heritage was – those were the determining factors in whether the lived…or died. But others selflessly gave of themselves. Men and women from every corner of the world joined forces to combat the evil that threatened to overtake the world.
Today, another evil of a whole different sort has been ravaging us for weeks and, really, there is no certain end in the foreseeable future. And our enemy seemingly lurks around every corner, ready to pounce and decimate and destroy.
But once more, in our time of need, there are those who are selflessly giving of themselves. Men and women of every race and creed from every corner of our world are diligently working to combat the evil that is threatening to overtake us.
The notes from my study Bible* spoke to me. I felt that it pointed to those who every day are laying down their lives to save as many as they can, many of them are followers of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. And they sacrifice their safety and the safety of their families so that we might live.
If this present life is most important to you, you will do everything you can to protect it. You will not want to do anything that might endanger your safety, health, or comfort. By contrast, if following Jesus is most important, you may find yourself in unsafe, unhealthy, and uncomfortable places. You may risk death, but you will not fear it because you know that Jesus will raise you to eternal life. Nothing material can compensate for the loss of eternal life. Jesus’ disciples are not to use their lives on earth merely to please themselves; they should spend their lives serving God and others.
Lord Jesus, please place Your arms of love and care around those give of themselves in service to us. Yes, some may not know You, but, Lord, I would ask that you would embolden those, your children, to speak, to share. May the events in which we find ourselves draw our hearts to You. And whether we live or die our hope is in You, both now and for eternity. Amen.
There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. ~ Jesus (John 15:13 NLT)
*Life Application Study Bible New Living Translation
Apr 15th, 2020, Wed, 7:23 pm
