Hope At Rock Bottom
Social distancing, hand washing, and self-isolation are now concepts that most understand and have put into practice. I took a walk around my neighborhood the other day with my sister to get our daily dose of fresh air and Vitamin D when we walked by a lady who we hadn't seen in years. We caught up with her on how she was feeling amongst all of the chaos since the pandemic began. She told us that she was a nurse and maintained her health by working on a rotating shift. She also noted that she was attending church online and told us that attendance for her church was now at a record high—jokingly stating that people were now running to the church.
Her mentioning that people were now running to the church stayed with me and I thought about what it really meant. People weren’t running to the physical church but rather to a sovereign God that CAN change things for them. As I thought more about this, I couldn’t help but wonder how God feels and what He thinks. How does God feel knowing that people were possibly running to Him in their time of desperate need? Does he feel like people use Him? Does He feel like He’s been on the back burner? If I was God, I’d be upset that people only wanted me around when they needed me. I’d feel like a school-age kid trying to figure out why I was only good enough if I had something of value to offer. I’d want to hold out on helping others because of how I’d been ignored or forgotten in the past.
BUT I’M NOT GOD.
God’s love is infinite, unbiased, incomparable and always present. It’s not based on what you have done or haven’t done for Him, to be frank there’s nothing that you can do to earn it. His love exists and has always existed on its own, without having to be invoked by our actions or inactions. He loves you UNCONDITIONALLY and is always ready for people to run to Him. He decided a long time ago that HE loved you when He sent Jesus to save you from your sins. It doesn’t matter how many times you’ve blown off talking to Him, it doesn’t matter if you said or did something that was not right or if you don’t even know where to start, He loves you!
In times of tragedy and loss, we often have better vision and are able to see our true need for God. Status, money, security systems and locations cannot keep us protected from the dangers of this pandemic but GOD CAN! No matter who you are, what your background is or if this is your first time hearing of God’s love, He’s ready for you to run to Him. The presence of God in your life doesn’t keep problems away but can give you hope and peace knowing that you are loved and protected by the One who can solve ANY problem.
There is absolutely NO SHAME in wanting God in your life when you are at what feels like rock bottom. No matter how bad things get for you, with God there is always hope! If you read this and want to have a personal relationship with Him, wherever you are pray this prayer.
“God, I am a sinner in need of your saving power and grace. I am asking that you would forgive me of my sins. I believe that you sent Jesus to die for my sins and I believe that He rose from the grave. I ask that you would come into my heart and help me live for you. In Jesus’ name, amen.”