how long? how long, Lord? have you ever uttered these words or some form of that question? and does not the word why often follow close behind? together they are often the cry of a broken heart feeling unable to take another step or even another breath. the space following such a cry can feel like the lonliest place on earth. especially when the lights of Christmas are twinkling and songs of Christmas fill the air. for in that space of pain and heartache celebrating seems almost impossible. it can, in fact, feel wrong. and that is okay. the One whose birth we celebrate at Christmas understands and holds the heart close to His own.
for the heart knowing Jesus, victory is promised. still standing in the end is reality. He said it. I believe it. yet the space between how long and still standing remains. like a chord longing to be resolved, the suspension can leave one hanging in midair, so to speak. the space of what once was no longer exists. that mold is b r o k e n. the what is to be is yet to be defined. you know that you know that you will be standing in the end but what about the now? in and of myself, I have no solutions that would take away the hurt and uncertainty, yet this one thing I do know: for today, aching heart, hold onto His promises. He will not leave you. ever. He will not forsake you. ever. He is for you, not against you. He loves you and sings over you. each morning the sun rising is a reminder that He holds all. each evening the sun setting is a reminder that He reaches down with heaven's kiss.
"Listen to me, descendants of Jacob, all you who remain in Israel. I have cared for you since you were born. Yes, I carried you before you were born. I will be your God throughout your lifetime, until your hair is white with age. I made you and I will care for you. I will carry you along and save you." Isaiah 46:3-4 you. are. not. alone.
"I will search for my lost ones who strayed away, and I will bring them safely home again. I will bandage the injured and strengthen the weak." Ezekiel 34:16 is this not the essence of the Christmas story? we stray. He searches. we run, we hide. He gently brings us home. and is that not the history of humanity? Adam and Eve hid. God searched. God found. and in that moment, the story and plan of Christmas was set in motion. could it be that for all the complexities and disagreements and even 'righteous wars' between the left (whatever that is) and the right (again, whatever that is) we have lost the beauty, the essence, the simplicity, of the story? not that the story itself was simple and beautiful, for the Son of God lived a life being rejected and scorned and died a death unimaginable in its horror. no, the beauty is in the simplicity of the essence of the story.
and we make it so complicated. what if, for even a day, we would set aside any differences that we as followers of Jesus have. what would it look like? what if we poured grace over one another instead of anger? what if we humbly admitted that maybe we don't have the corner on the market of being right? what if we listened instead of attacking? what if we committed to spreading the love which brought Jesus to the manger? for He bridged the span between heaven and earth all because of love for you. for me. for every heart ever beating and if we, those who profess to love Jesus, simply live the love of the Christmas story in this coming Christmas season, perhaps the world ~ our neighbors, our coworkers, our friends, our families, and perhaps especially those who view life through a different lens than we do ~ just maybe the world would notice and see the love of Jesus shine through us this Christmas. and the dark of night will never be able to extinguish the light of the Christ of Christmas. we are in the story. we are the story. we are. all because of Him and through Him and ultimately for His glory.
