There are some days and times in our lives that we are left wondering when is the flow of bad news going to end. When we continue to hear of challenges that are beyond us, we wonder how do we help someone through these difficult situations. What can we possibly say or do to make things better for them? Many have come to me for advice and while I am humbled that they would come thinking that what I have to say will add value to their lives and situations, I often feel that what I have to offer is not going to be enough. In this week there was so much negativity and bad news that came across my experience. In every day that passed I either heard news about a sickness or terrible diagnosis or I heard about a death. In this week alone there were five deaths in the lives of people I care deeply about, three Cancer diagnosis’, one tragedy, one unexplained major health crisis that has a friend fighting for his life, 2 marital breakups and a funeral I attended. There are only 7 days in the week!
When we are asked to give what we ourselves don’t have or when we are asked to give what people think is their greatest need – there is one who is always more than enough.
It is in these moments that I realize that while my answer may seem trivial to some that there is only one answer that is enough. The answer is and can only be Jesus!
I think back to the story of Peter and John being asked for silver and gold from the man who was lame and begging. They didn’t have what he asked for but their words of what they had, have always had a profound impact in my life. They had what was needed. They had more than what was requested. When we are asked to give what we ourselves don’t have or when we are asked to give what people think is their greatest need – there is one who is always more than enough. There is one who will always be and bring the answer. “Silver and Gold I do not have, but what I do have I give to you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth walk” Acts 3:6
We can fill in the blank in so many ways- the answer to why this did or did not happen, I do not have, your healing or cure I do not have, that amount of money I do not have…and the list goes on- but what I do have is my faith in Jesus. What I do have is a prayer that reaches heaven’s ear. What I do have is Jesus. We can offer Jesus and help them to know that they can walk through the storm, through the dessert, through the valley, up the mountain, through the valley of the shadow of death with Jesus, by Jesus, because of Jesus.
This week’s news had me truly saying to Jesus “I don’t know what you are doing but I know that you know what you are doing. Help me Lord to leave all these needs in your hands and to lead by example in following you.” I kept going to Jesus. I kept encouraging others to go to Jesus. I will keep going to Jesus. I will keep encouraging others to go to Jesus. I really didn’t know what else to do. Do I need to know anything else to do?
I don’t know why we seem to apologize for “only” being able to offer Jesus or prayer. If we truly believe that Jesus is the answer and Jesus can help or that Jesus is all powerful- then what are we apologizing for? 1 John 1:4:4 tells us that greater is He in us than he in the world. In all situations we need the one who is greater. If I believe this to be true then I make no apology in delegating back to Jesus what is in the power of Jesus to handle. The problems of this world are not in our hands. The power is in realizing that it’s just about hanging on to him and trusting till he gets us through.
As some words from one of the hymns I learned in my childhood states, “I must tell Jesus all of my trials. I cannot bear these burdens alone. In my distress he kindly will help me. He ever loves and cares for his own…Jesus will help me. Jesus alone”
When my friends or family are in trouble, I know only of the comfort that I have personally experienced in trusting Jesus. We are encouraged in the scripture 2 Corinthians 1:4 to comfort others with the same comfort God has given. Won’t you join me in giving Jesus? We have been made comfort-able only in and through Jesus. Please as we end this month and continue into 2021, get real comfortable sharing Jesus. Share him as your first resort. Share him last resort. In this very uncomfortable, uncertain, hurt filled world, only sharing Jesus will bring lasting comfort and make a lasting difference. May you and I know that only having Jesus is enough for us all.
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