God is God

It’s so hard living in this world sometimes because nothing in this world is truly certain.

Well, yes -we hear “taxes and death” are – but then again – how much taxes? And when we will die? – still no true certainty in either of those.

Even when we fool ourselves into thinking our life is certain, it can change in a heartbeat.

The only thing that is certain in this world is that this world is uncertain.

And then – there is God.

He is what keeps up certain in all this uncertainty.

Our God who never changes.

Our God who knows the end from the beginning and the beginning from the end.

Our God who is Ruler over all things, even when it might appear He isn’t.

Disasters. Wars. Elections.

It’s often hard to see God here. And yet, we have to know and believe that while man has freedom of choice and free will, ultimately, God is still sovereignly in control.

We may not understand it.

We may not be able to see it.

We may not have words to explain it or even truly comprehend it.

But faith believes it. God is God.

Always.

In all ways.

His ways – higher than ours.

No doubt, we are living in uncertain times, but never forget we are in the sovereign care of God in who we can be absolutely certain.

He is our hope.

He is our strength.

He is our victory.

He is our peace.

Certainty isn’t found in this world.

It is found in the One who causes the sun to rise and the sun to set – the very One who holds the world in His hands.

It is found in the One who holds our very next breath.

We find our certainty not in this world, precious one – but in the God who is over it.

Of this I am absolutely certain.~❤

~Stacy L. Sanchez / Heartprints of God


Struggle is Necessary

It may sound counterintuitive, but choosing the harder path may make our life easier. Here’s why:

When caterpillars go into their cocoons for hibernation, they struggle against the barrier of the cocoon for months on end, trying to get out. It’s only when their wings have developed and they’re strong enough to fly that they are able to break free and escape. If a caterpillar were to somehow get set free from its cocoon before it was strong enough to escape on its own, it wouldn’t be able to fly, and would eventually die.

The same is true in a way for us. When we face struggles in life, they have great potential to make us stronger. Not only do hard things make us stronger, but they prepare us more for harder temptations, trials, and suffering in the future. In a way, we are made more able to handle future struggles because of the little hard choices we make daily.

Some struggles are greater than others, and maybe there are some things that you are constantly trying to avoid because they are so hard for you to do. But nevertheless, these are the struggles that you are faced with. These are the things God wants to make you stronger through. Because he knows what you need to continue on your path, and he knows that these struggles are not only going to make you stronger but will intensify the victories he has prepared for you. There are some things that come from struggle that are so much more glorious than a scare-free life, and the Lord is ready to show you what triumphs he has in store for you.


Minute Meditation – Joy is a Gift From God

Joy is a gift from God, one of God’s surprises that comes to us when we are expecting something else. And yet we can also say that joy is won. It is won by those with heart enough to surrender to God. God gives the power to surrender, but we alone can choose to use that power. So in that sense we win our joy in God. And “win” is a good word here, for the surrender is never made without a struggle; and in this case by losing the struggle against God and surrendering to God, we win! Another paradox, another reality that only the Spirit of God can explain. Only in the power of God’s spirit is our defeat our victory, and our surrender our real possession.

— from the book Song of the Sparrow: New Poems and Meditations by Murray Bodo, OFM

//Franciscan Media//