“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
-Jesus (John 16:33)
Every now and then the world likes to remind us that we live in a war zone. I spent the other morning with a few hundred teens singing praises to God and talking about how we can bring glory and honor to him despite our scars. I went home rejuvenated and encouraged for the present and future of the church only to turn on the news and see the terror in a South Texas house of worship.
I am so sick and tired of the pain and destruction going on around us. I’m disgusted at evil and how it loves to impact lives. I’m dismayed at the unending drama, tragedy, and tears shattering our families. I’m grieved but I do find comfort in the fact that evil has an expiration date. It doesn’t make it hurt any less though.
Jesus told a group of close friends and followers they would have trouble in this world. He gave them a heads up, a disclaimer if you will. They would be mistreated and even killed by the religious. The ones who should be their strongest allies would be their worst aggressors. The Messiah didn’t mince words or sugar coat what following him would cost and right when his followers were probably about to second guess what they had signed up for, he let them know he had overcome the world. Let that sink in for a moment. Jesus has overcome the world. Defeated. Mastered. Conquered. Triumphed Over. Dominated. The God we serve, the King we bow before, the One who lives in us is greater than any hurt, any disappointment, any terrible news story, any Facebook post, rumor, tragedy, diagnosis, anyone or anything that wants to destroy us. Our God is greater.
We will not be spared from the pain of this world. We are saddened. We are sick. We are at war. We hurt but we will not go through this alone. Our God still reigns. He is still alive and well. He is still all powerful.
God’s heart broke for this sin sick world and then he did something amazing, he stepped inside. He entered our chaos and made a beautiful difference. And he calls his children to do the same. It won’t be easy. It certainly won’t be popular. It may not even be safe but we will not be alone.
If you want to fight the darkness, spread the light. Speak peace. Share hope. Give grace. Refuse to listen to a world who tells you that darkness reigns. That this is all there is. That you are an accident and here for no reason. Remember that your God is greater than the one wreaking havoc in this world. Your God has already won this battle. Take heart. Be courageous even if you’re heartbroken. Hope is alive and his name is Jesus.