Come as You Are

Photo by cottonbro on Pexels.com

Have you ever attended a “come as you are party?” Many years ago friends woke me up early in the morning. It was during the days when I wore curlers in my hair to bed. Friends drove a bunch of us girls in our pajamas and curlers to a downtown Oklahoma City restaurant on the 9th floor. However, the elevator stopped on the way up, and we got stuck between floors for two hours. Can you imagine how embarrassed we were when we got off the elevator?

Aside from silly parties and jokes, we live in tough times. People have experienced loss of homes, jobs, health, wealth, loved ones, and more. People are depressed and lonely. You may be one who is out of work, but you still have bills and your family needs shelter and food. The despair can make you feel as if God has forgotten you. He has not. You may think that you have to get your life in order before you could even cry out to Him in your need. Be encouraged! Come as you are.

I have been in despair and I cried out to God. I know He heard me, because I began to feel amazingly loved, even before things got better. I began to read the Bible, and these words comforted me: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light” (Matthew 11:28-30).

THINK ABOUT IT

I was a single mom, and I didn’t know how I would pay bills or feed my kids. I didn’t know what it meant to be yoked with Jesus. Two oxen are yoked together to make their work (burden) easier. Jesus said He was gentle and humble and I would find rest for my soul. He said His yoke is easy and His burden is light. Imagine partnering with God. I began to surrender to Jesus in the midst of my problems. I didn’t think I had time to devote to Him, but I got up 15 minutes early so I would have time to read the Bible and pray. Later I got up 30 minutes early. I began to linger in God’s presence in the morning, and I discovered that my days got easier. My problems didn’t go away, but I had a real Friend and Partner to walk with me through hard times.

“Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, “The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for him” (Lamentations 3:22-24).

PRAY ABOUT IT

Holy Father, we surrender our despair and loneliness to you. Thank you for your amazing love and compassion. Help us to seek you in the morning to find strength to face the day. Thank you that you never sleep or slumber. You are always available whether in the dark of night or the light of day. Be with us even now. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Jesus and Divorce

Photo by Nathan Cowley on Pexels.com

Marriage is not always as wonderful as it was on the wedding day. Divorce is a hard thing to consider, but it’s something many think about when trouble comes, whether it’s the relationship, financial problems, health or parenting issues. One day some Pharisees came to test Jesus by asking Him, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife?”

“What did Moses command you?” Jesus said.

They said, “Moses permitted a man to write a certificate of divorce and send her away.”

“It was because your hearts were hard that Moses wrote you this law,” said Jesus. “But at the beginning of creation God made them male and female. For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh. So they are no longer two, but one. Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate” (Mark 10:2–9).

THINK ABOUT IT

Today as in Old Testament times, divorce might seem like an easy solution to marital problems. It is not, especially if children are involved. Sadly, the children might think they caused the dissolution, that it was somehow their fault. They might even have feelings of guilt if they are old enough to choose which parent they want to live with. In times of abuse and unsuccessful times spent with marriage counselors, divorce is the only solution to end the pain. Although God hates divorce, He does not want someone to remain in a dangerous situation. Divorce is not the unforgivable sin. We live in a world filled with sin and things like divorce happen. Jesus died for our sin and is available to comfort and counsel in our times of loneliness and despair.

PRAY ABOUT IT

Father God, our hearts break when marriage doesn’t work out. Help us to find the least painful solution. Heal the hurt felt by everyone in the family, and teach us to show respect and cooperation even in the midst of conflict. In Jesus’ name, Amen.