the good news

Yesterday in church, after the sermon while the “prayer counselors” were down at the end of the aisles, available to pray with anyone who would like to, something caught my eye.

One of the prayer counselors across the room was a bigger gentleman, tall and built pretty tough, with black-rimmed glasses.

I was only looking in his general direction while we sang the last worship song, but I noticed a woman walk up to him and nearly collapse into his arms. She buried her face in his chest and just started sobbing. He hugged her, patted her back, and began to talk with her while we all continued singing. She was broken, and he held her while she cried.

And I had to look away or else I’d have been sobbing along with her.

Yes, I thought. This is what it’s all about. Arms to fall into. A soul in which to find refuge. Love abounding.

We are broken. This world brings us to addiction, loneliness and despair. Sometimes we just don’t see a way out.

But then there’s Jesus. The bright light at the end of the tunnel. Our saving grace. Our gift from Heaven above.

This is the gospel, people. All you who are weary and burdened, come to me and I will give you rest. There is a reason it’s called “good news!”

I think in my daily walk with God I lose sight of the miracle of Jesus. He heals people! He rescues us from brokenness, He gives us hope. He is our Rock and our Salvation. He is the arms to fall into, the shoulder to cry on, the Father to pick us up when we fall, the Counselor and God With Us. How amazing is His love?

Amazing love, how can it be?
That You, my KING, should die for me?

What is it about human nature that causes us to forget just how wonderful we have it? How do I take for granted the blessings God has bestowed upon my life? How can I even begin to get used to what Jesus has done for me?

“Outside of the resurrection of Jesus, I do not know of any other hope for this world.” -Adenauer

Love so amazing, so divine,
Demands my soul, my life, my all.