Gratitude Is the Lifeline to JoyНамуна

Day 9: Jesus Remains Steady

By Erica Parkerson

Read: Matthew 28:20

20 Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

Reflection:

I almost missed it because I was looking at my phone. Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed a tarp, dirty and paint splattered.

Curious, I looked up and saw a marvelous mural going up. An artist was on a ladder painting the Northwest in all its glory. If I hadn’t looked up, I would’ve missed the masterpiece and only noticed the mess.

The world is messy. We've been splattered with the paint of unexpected circumstances. We’re grappling with the dirt of disappointment. Sometimes we laugh at memes. Sometimes we cry and ask, “What next?” The truth is, we don’t know what’s next, but we do know WHO’S next.

Dolly Parton and Zach Williams sing a stirring duet I cherish called “There Was Jesus.” This is my favorite part:

“Like a blessing buried in the broken pieces

Every minute, every moment

Where I’ve been or where I’m going

Even when I didn’t know it

Or couldn’t see it

There was Jesus.”

Jesus is in the mess with us.

The One born willing to be born in a stable is always willing to sit with us in the stink of our own troubles and hurts. He’s there.

“…And be sure of this: I am always with you, even to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:20

In this unsteady time, Jesus remains steady. He is faithful, and we can lean on Him.

“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.” Hebrews 13:8

God’s good plan for your life continues regardless of the pandemic. He never stops working in our lives. Jesus is undeterred.

“And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.” Philippians 1:6

If God is with us in the mess and working steadily and diligently, then there’s always going to be a blessing to count in the mess!

On Thanksgiving Day 2017, our son had to fast in preparation for a surgery that God would use to save his life. Josh was skin and bones, ravaged from ulcerative colitis, and as we gathered around his sickbed, you could hear our hearts cracking if you listened. But looking back on that day, I remember our family standing strong for Josh. My dad told funny stories to distract him from the horrible liquid he had to drink. We all could be brave as knights because the King was with us in that hotel room, blocks away from Duke Hospital, providing the courage.

Josh is thriving today, and a tradition was born out of that crushing time in our history: we have cinnamon rolls every Thanksgiving morning to celebrate God’s healing and faithfulness.

If you are walking through a mess in your life right now, I encourage you to look up. There is always so much more going on, always something to be grateful for. God not only sees the big picture, He’s painting it! In His hands, messes become masterpieces.