I spent this past Saturday with a young girl, who is starting a new chapter in her life. I was her nanny when she was little and since then our lives have been intertwined through piano lessons, arts and crafts, Bible Studies and more. It is an exciting time for her to go to college, to start a new part of her life that is even more independent than before. New place to live, new friends to meet, new teachers, new classes and new sport team. Life is changing for her.
But life has new chapters all the time. We are in school, we get new jobs, we get married, become parents, we watch them grow up and then fly out of the nest. Sometimes we are on the mountaintops in life and we must remember: “Every generous act and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights;” James 1:17
But sometimes we are in the valleys. We can lose our jobs, our homes, we can get sick, we can lose someone we love and we can be lonely. The possibilities and tragedies in life are endless. Jesus said to his disciples after talking about what will happen to Him and to the disciples: “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33
He told us we will have trouble because we are sinners who live in fallen world with other sinful people and we have a very real enemy who is here to steal, kill and destroy.
“A thief comes only to steal and to kill and to destroy. I have come so that they may have life and have it in abundance.” John 10:10Each time we are told in God’s Word that there is trouble in this life, we are also encouraged with the fact that Jesus took care of it. He says He has overcame the world. He says He came so that we can have life. No matter what the valley brings in life, He says: Take Heart! I have overcome this fallen world! I have redeemed it! I have redeemed you! All you have to do is believe in me. Trust that what I said is true: “For God did not send His Son into the world that He might condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through Him.” John 3:17
“For this is the will of My Father: that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him may have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day.” John 6:40
So wherever you are in life right now, on the mountaintop or in the valley, life will change. It can change as fast as the weather in Florida. The question is, are you aware of Him wherever you are. Are you thankful for all the mountaintop experiences in your life? Are you aware that He loves you so much that He died for you? Is your eternity secured for the eternal life that will be full of mountaintop experiences and no more valleys?
If not, you might want to spend some time talking to Him. Jesus said: “I assure you: Anyone who believes has eternal life.” John 6:47
Krisztina White