So the internet. It’s been really LOUD this week. Perhaps I’ve struggled more with the noise since I returned home from the Declare Conference on Sunday. All I’ve wanted was a good long bit of quiet — time for processing and time with my three loves. But, Life.
Certainly I could have turned it all off, stuck my head in the sand and avoided the pain and the struggles and the sadness. But sadly, I do that far too often.
Last night as we readied ourselves for bed, I was overwhelmed. So much hurt. So much despair. So many sad events in just one week.
I absentmindedly said to my husband, “Wow. We (as a country) really need some good news. Something happy. Something positive.”
As I drifted off to sleep, it hit me like a blast of cold air in the face– We HAVE that good news. Something positive HAS happened. We have hope.
We have the hope of Christ and that changes everything– if we let it. We have the gift of prayer to a God who hears– but we have to go to Him. We have the biggest reason for crazy joy and peace and gift-counting ever– but we have to TELL THEM.
It’s hard not to feel utterly and completely helpless, because people are still hurting. Many of them love God and know true peace– but they are still HURTING.
And my arms don’t feel long enough to wrap around them all. My words feel as though they fall flat when I open my mouth to speak love. My fingers stayed paralyzed in front of a keyboard when I look at all else that has been said and wonder which of it matters. Is this even helpful? What can I do? I’m one small voice with a handful of followers.
But I’m choosing obedience today. And joy. And I’m choosing to tell everyone, every chance I get. That there is Hope. And there is a God who does not look at us in our brokenness and sadly shake His head.
He knows we are broken. He loves us in spite of it.
He knows we are flawed. He is the only One who is not.
He knows we are helpless. He is our only Help.
So as we look for some shred of good news in today, remember this:
“But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you proclaim the excellencies of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.”
1 Peter 2:9 (ESV)
Linking up with Kate for Five Minute Friday! Same lovely group– new home!!!
Thank you so much for articulating what I’ve been thinking and feeling this week. Yes! We do have the good news, but it’s to forget to share it, or to forget ourselves sometimes, when faced with sadness and difficulty. Bravo for calling us all out and taking up the challenge.
Thank you for your kind words. I feel like if we would “share” the good stuff on Facebook twice as much as we “share” the tough stuff, we’d all be a lot more encouraged! 🙂
This echos my heart so often! I see the hurt around (even among believers) and feel helpless to ease that hurt. Thanks for reminding me not to be paralyzed by that feeling of helplessness 🙂
I heard Shaun Groves speak this past weekend about this very thing– but in terms of helping out causes that need our support– it seems like there are so many wonderful choices and we don’t know where to help out, so we just.. don’t. And I was so guilty of that! It hit me right to the core and I have decided– no more!!!
Thanks for stopping by, Lauren! You are welcome here any time!
Oh girlie… so much Amen here! We always have Hope… and Him… and He is always the answer!
Thank you, friend. Glad we can rally around it together!
So good!! It has been a rough week. Thankful for this solid encouragement.
I know! Amazing how deep a valley can come–especially right after a weekend like we both had at Declare, right? Praying for you friend.
You’re right–there’s so much sadness and we DO have good news! Thank you for helping me adjust my perspective.
Thank you for stopping by, Anita! You can remind me next time I forget–ok? 🙂
YES. You are so right. That good news that never ever runs out or dries up or leaves… Thank you for the reminder today.
Hi Anna! Thanks for stopping in. I wish we could flood the internet with good news at times like this. I loved your “Tell” post this week. So beautiful.
This is a beautiful reminder. Thank you so much for sharing, friend… What a solid encouragement to keep our focus on Him-our constant sustainer.
Love you, Court!
Amen! We already *have* the good news. Love this thought, and seeing your heart here. May He help us to keep telling it far and wide.
Thank you for welcoming us in FMF, Kate! Glad to be sharing the good news with you.
Yes, Cynthia, just THIS. We must keep telling His story of Hope and Redemption…even to a few followers. It only takes one life changed to change generations behind. Thank you for being obedient and reminding me that even my small voice is important in the sea of other voices…some will only hear mine. Glad to be in the telling with you, sister…xoxo
I often forget about the two little “followers” in my own house and that they need the hope and truth so too! And yes, your voice matters! It has encouraged me many a time!