Never Too Late

Lee and I spent the day Saturday at the arts festival in Fairhope, Alabama.  It was a task we do each year in preparation for the Arts Quest sponsored by the Cultural Arts Alliance (Lee works there).  You know how I am not a fan of the cliche' but I saw a little art card that had a saying I really liked. It said, "It is never too late to live happily ever after."  For the secular person, this is cute but there is little substance behind it. How can we live happily ever after if the world and this present darkness is all we have.  But for the Christian, I like this thought a lot.

I deal with pople in the throes of life's struggles.  A family member hs died.  A woman is beginning a new life differently than she had planned.  Finances are tight and there seems to be no way out.  I have so much on my plate and I cannot see my way out, past or over what I face.  I am struggling!

As I look at all of these problems I then look at the journey of our Savior.  Chased from Jerusalem under threst of death.  Demanding people all around.  Disciples who have spent three years learning what seems to be almost nothing.  A nation expecting a cnquering king ... something I am not about to deliver.  And even my Father isn't giving me the whole story (confirmed by Jesus prayer at Gethsamane).  So I journey to face what seems like a certain death and I am expected to be obedient in the face of jeers, torture, disbeief and taunting (''come down off that cross if you have any power'').

But, as the old African-American preacher said ... "Sundays a comin!"  Yes ... there is a happily ever after.  But the paradox is, the ones who should be happy are messed up, sinful people like you and me.  "Because (as the song says) He lives, I can face tomorrow, because He lives, all fear is gone, because I know I have a future, and life is worth the living, just because He lives."  When I read the Gospel story one more time I am reminded that my problems are in the hands of someone who has, with his own blood, purchased my "happily ever after" to be spent with Jesus in the place He has prepared.  So ... I will get past to struggles of today knowing that God has provided and is providing for my future and my present ... and He has (thankfully) forgiven my past.  So today ... I can begin again.  That's Good News!  Randy