An Example to Follow

The better part of this year has been full of challenges for me and my family. As I started thinking about them, it occurred to me that Jesus experienced some of the same challenges. A big difference is He accepted God’s will for His life far better than I.

For example:

Jesus had a father who died.

Jesus had a mother who needed to be taken care of as she aged.

Jesus had siblings who were a ‘challenge’.

Jesus saw the ravages of disease in a sin-filled world.

Jesus lost people he loved due to sickness.

Jesus watched his ‘children’ struggle.

Jesus experienced physical and emotional pain.

Jesus felt the heaviness of burdens laid upon his life.

Jesus felt disappointment.

Jesus felt tired and overwhelmed.

Jesus asked for burdens to be removed.

A lesson I’m learning from Jesus is that I need to spend time talking to God while I’m processing all the things that are happening. I need to rely on the strength God is giving me. I need to stop trying to handle things on my own and let God be God. I need to be more willing to accept things as part of God’s plan for my life. I need to open myself up to the work God is doing in me. Lots of things to work on, for sure!

But as I reflect on the past year, I don’t have to look to hard to see God’s hand guiding and supporting me. In retrospect, we often find ourselves saying, ‘Everything worked out just like it was supposed to’ or even better than what we had planned. Not to say that I don’t have a lot of questions about the ‘why’s’ of everything. I do! I imagine myself with a long list of questions at the pearly gates. The Lord will probably just take my hand, pat me on the head, and say ‘Oh, child. Come on in. Be at peace. Rest. You’re in good hands.’  Oh, wait…maybe He’s saying that right now.

Matthew 11:28 Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

Dawn Lubker, Director of Ministries