Have you ever gone through something that absolutely devastated your life? Tears fall as you realize everything you have ever known will never be the same. As your world literally crashes all around you, suddenly, you wake up, and find that you are staring up at the dark ceiling and realize that it is three in the morning, eventually realizing that you were only dreaming. Sighing in relief and offering up a prayer of broken thankfulness to God, you wipe the tears away with your blanket and turn to the other, non-tear-soaked side of the pillow. Have you ever had one of those dreams?
I have. It is such a relief to know that everything is okay. It is such a comfort to know that God has you in his hands, and that everything that was troubling you was nothing.
Hey wait! Isn't that just like with real life? Hey, don't judge me, I already know I'm sort of crazy—just bear with me here. I mean, real-life is just like dream-life, right? Granted, maybe real-life doesn't have flying hippos or moonwalking dinosaurs, but one could draw lines in this case, right?
Right?
Right.When we're crying in a dream, we wake up and realize that there's absolutely nothing to cry about. Life is cruel, and tears seem to be the only antidote sometimes. But in real-life, would we be shedding tears of pain if we could "wake up" and realize that God still has us? Realizing that He has us in His loving hands, and that He will never let us go, how could we really cry...in pain anyway? Back to the former example: After a particularly horrible dream in which I lost everything, I woke up and realized I was still "alive" (yes, it was very awful :P). I wept for joy, grasping that I was crying for no reason and that everything was okay. Let me pause here for a moment to quote a friend:
"…It's just a cool feeling. Especially when you wake up and realize there's nothing to cry about."
Cool. Thanks buddy, couldn't have said it better myself. Where was I? Ah yes…
Now, I realize that in "real-life" it isn't quite that simple. Actually, I don't because, isn't it? *nods head, even though he is writing* Are we not God's beloved children? Jesus says in Matthew:
"Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not ONE of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of the Father. And even the very hairs of your head are numbered." –Matthew 10:28-30
Sparrows. Yeah, they were like the ultimate two-for-a-buck deal at this time; yet, not "one" of them could fall to the ground without it being God's will. "So don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows." –Matthew 10:31
Simply beautiful. So, what does this mean? Does it mean that God loves you and everything is just a dream and you won't ever have to trials and heartbreaking hardships? *sigh* No. This is how real-life differs from dream-life: in real-life we can't just wake up and bid farewell to the bad dream. In dream-life we can weep for joy, because we know that it is all alright. Stop right there. Shouldn't that be the same reaction in the real, non-dream world? God still has us; nothing has changed. Nothing can change his love for us, and nothing can change His power and His will."I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with loving-kindness" –Jeremiah 31:3
Moreover:
"…I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future" –Jeremiah 29:11
Though life may look dire at the moment, difficulties in this life only make us stronger, and eventually, when we surpass the trials, we will emerge victorious in the Lord. Paul was onto something when he said:"Not only so, but we rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance, perseverance, character, and character, hope." –Romans 5:3
We can literally 'wake-up," and see that God has us, even through the trials of this life. We can have joy, knowing that we are in His arms, because really, where else would we want to be? And we will have hope, because we know that God is going to take us through this. You can bet on it."And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." –Romans 8:28
What do you think? Let us talk…
