Blessed Assurance

Alone and Broken

Have you ever felt alone and broken, wondering,

Where is God? 

 If we are honest with ourselves, the answer would be yes.

At some point in our lives, if not yet, there will be a time when we beg the question,

"Where are you God?"

          We have believed a lie.  A lie that God is only involved in the good things in life called blessings.  We equate blessings to getting what we want...having our prayers answered the way we asked of them or when things fall nicely into place use the phrase 'It's a God thing" as the explanation. If we took the time to reflect we would know this is not true nor is it biblical. Yet, we continue to fly high feeling blessed until something happens and we are left feeling alone and broken wondering where is God?  As Jesus hung on the cross he too begged the question.

Matthew 27:46 Jesus called out with a loud voice, 

“Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” which means 

“My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?

          A cry out to our heavenly father as Jesus did from the cross is an example for us to follow. As Jesus hung on the cross bearing the sins of the world he was separated from God.  He took our place so that we never have to be separated from God.  We may feel alone and broken but God is with us! When we believe the lie that God is only involved in good things and good things are blessings we will crumble in our loneliness and brokenness.  We must see blessings with an eternal perspective.

 Matthew 5:3 Blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.   

         The trials and struggles we go through lead us to the foot of the cross with a cry out to our heavenly father conforming us to the likeness of his son, Jesus.  Suffering with a broken heart gives us insights into the very character of God.   A life's journey of developing Christ like character is a blessing in itself.  

Matthew 5:3-10

Jesus said:

3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit,

for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

4 Blessed are those who mourn,

for they will be comforted.

5 Blessed are the meek,

for they will inherit the earth.

6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,

for they will be filled.

7 Blessed are the merciful,

for they will be shown mercy.

8 Blessed are the pure in heart,

for they will see God.

9 Blessed are the peacemakers,

for they will be called children of God.

10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,

for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

       As I look out to the field and see the lonely tree and broken down wagon wheel,  I think of the cross where Jesus was broken and alone and know I have a God who knows my sufferings.  He promises to carry me through them even though it does not feel like it.  I have faith in his words that all of creation eagerly awaits for it's redemption and these present sufferings do not compare to the glory that will be revealed in us.  For this is my blessed assurance!

~2RJL