3-1-24

I was scrolling through Facebook first thing this morning, like I often do, to see the news of friends and family when I came across a “dedication” that a friend posted for her niece who had passed a year ago today. She was a young woman about 19, beautiful, talented. The aunt, my friend is a Christian. She loves the Lord. I found myself scrolling through the young lady’s page to see what I could learn about her. SO many people posted on her page that they loved and missed her. A couple of things came to mind. First of all, how many lives we touch, like in the movie “It’s a Wonderful Life”. George Baily was overcome with problems and felt alone. He thought the world would be a better place without him. Many of us go through times of doubt. Doubt in ourselves, Doubt in God…. Doubt that anyone cares. I have heard that people are like a pond when you throw a stone into the water, it ripples. Our lives ripple and the ripple gets larger as it goes further away from us. Meaning, if you touch 2 people, they touch 2 people and then they touch 2 people.  If you tell 2 people about Jesus, then they tell 2 people about Jesus, then they tell 2 people about Jesus…. Soon, many people will know about Jesus and you in turn, have had an effect on ALL of those people by telling the first person.

I have no reason to believe that this young lady committed suicide. I do not know how she died. But I do know that we live in a hurting world. People need the Lord so badly. Honestly, I have no idea how a person lives in this messed up world without Him. We were not made FOR this world. We live here as visitors. When you long for something and you don’t know what it is, I will tell you that you need to seek Jesus in a deeper way. Remembering that our home is with Him and not here in this mess. I do not mean to imply that I have all the answers. I am a very flawed person. I DO know that Jesus is the answer to any of life’s problems and you will not comprehend that until you get out your Bible, learn about Him and fall on your knees before Him.

Next time you wonder if you are worthy of this world, remember: Your soul is so valuable that satan works constantly to pursue it, and the KING laid down His own life for it! Remembering that Jesus would have come to earth to die for you if you were the ONLY one here to die for. What an amazing thought that is!

We are in the Lenten season when we remember Jesus’s sacrifice on the cross. Our lives are but a vapor, but we have the promise of eternal life in heaven with a Father who NEVER leaves us.

Amazing Love, how can it be, that you my God wouldst die for me. AMEN!

Shirlene Peterson