When we are weary of life’s challenge it is good to remember the story of God and His love. When we worry for our children remember…
Once upon a time before the world began, He was. Powerfully creative He spoke and the world spun into motion. Brilliant colors, magnificent light, stellar mountainscapes, and unfathomable oceans painted the tapestry of creation and He saw that it was a good. Fish, birds, animals and plants of every kind filled the earth, sky, and seas; breathing, flying, swimming, and living adding beauty to the masterpiece. As a brilliant artist He desired others to enjoy His masterpiece formed out of nothing. Breathing “ruah” into mere dust He created man and from him a woman. Together they loved and lived in the Garden with the Creator. They walked with Him as if they were walking hand in hand with a loving Father.
One day the serpent told the woman a lie. She and her husband believed lies because they wanted to be like the Father. Not realizing they were already made in His image, they became less like Him. They disobeyed Him in the worst way as a child disobeys his parents who are only trying to keep him safe. They lost everything they had including their relationship with God. Lovingly the Father pursued them… forever.
Years later God sent His Son, Jesus, a part of Himself to be with the people He created and experience life with them like He did in the beginning. His name is Immanuel, truly God with us. He loved people in those days by teaching them the Father’s way, healing their pain, bringing their dead to life, and restoring their hope. But it wasn’t enough. It wasn’t enough to just be with one generation in one small spot on the planet. Instead the Father and His Son loved the nations throughout all generations. It was not enough to just be with them, He wanted to be in them… in us. Still there was one problem. We disobeyed. We chose our own way instead of following the way of the Creator.
A price had to be paid as a penalty for our disobedience. I should have to pay that price, but I don’t. Instead we were bought with a price. Jesus, Immanuel, chose to offer his perfect life as a sacrifice for our disobedient lives. He lay down on the altar of crucifixion as the sinless Lamb of God. He died for our sin. He died so the Creator, the Father, could be with us and we could be with Him. “He is the propitiation of our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world” (John 2:2 ESV). Three days later, He rose and walked out of the tomb. Over 500 witnesses saw Him. He ascended to heaven and now sits at the right hand of the Father reigning as the eternal King. Before He left he gave us a gift. His very Spirit, the Counselor and Comforter often called the Holy Spirit is given to all who choose to follow Christ.
Be encouraged! The Spirit of the Wise Artist, the Master Creator, the Spirit of Immanuel now resides in you and me and He loves our children because they are His too. You and I are anything but alone. We have the power and guidance of the Creator, the Risen Savior, and the Reigning King Jesus inside of us. Don’t be afraid. He is in this and has been from the very beginning! He was and is and is to come.
Brian Haynes 