Finding Courage in a World full of Turmoil
Reflecting upon the events of the recent past, we find that the world has experienced one crisis after another. Pandemics, wars, civil unrest, political unrest, are but a few. Clearly affecting nearly every individual around the globe.
Our Sunday School class had been long planning a New York City trip for our graduates. However, because of the recent Middle Eastern Crisis and threats of terrorism, the trip was canceled. This sparked a long conversation I had with my girls.
They began to express their complaints and concerns for the future, the luxuries they took for granted but now have to give up, and the global hostility they occasionally have been exposed to.
I quickly realized that it was up to me to equip them with hope and courage even though the world is becoming increasingly fearful and uncertain.
I began to look for answers in the scriptures.
I soon discovered that Jesus too had to face and endure some of the most hostile situations and environments.
An excerpt of John 11 caught my attention.
Jesus had just received news that his friend Lazarus was sick. He began to make plans to pay him a visit.
…and then He said to the disciples, “Let us go back to Judea.”
The disciples said to him, “Rabbi, the Jews were just now seeking to stone you, and are you going there again?” (John 11:7-8 ESV)
There was a religious group that was literally stalking him out to kill him.
Jesus replies…
Are there not twelve hours of daylight in every day? You can go through a day without the fear of stumbling when you walk in the One who gives light to the world. But you will stumble when the light is not in you, for you'll be walking in the dark.” (John 11:9 TPT)
In other words, when you are connected with the one who gives light to the world, you can have courage instead of fear.
After he had said this, he went on to tell them, “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep; but I am going there to wake him up.”
Jesus further proceeds to tell them that he has been put on a mission, that is to raise Lazarus from the dead.
Jesus had ongoing intimate connection with the father. He spent time alone with him. The father mapped out Jesus’ mission for him. Therefore he was able to face hostility with confidence because he knew God was supporting it. God would see the execution of it from start to finish.
We too can have intamacy with Jesus. It's our intimate time alone with him in the prayer closet. In the same way he will begin to reveal his plans and future for us out of his word.
Thus we can find courage to face uncertainty and turmoil because we become so deeply aware of the plan and mission he has set out for us.
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