I have been reminded this week of a very painful truth that I can conveniently push to the back of my mind most of the time: Life is a fragile vapor. One of my dear friends, Elaine, was hit by a drunk driver on Monday. She suffered internal injuries, the worst being a broken spine in two places. I did not find out until the day after the accident and cannot stop thinking about her and the new life she will now live as a result of a situation she could not control.
There are times when nothing comforts me, when life is so difficult that I cannot wrap my brain around it. When all my soul can do is cry even when my eyes are dry. I do not know what people do without Jesus Christ in those situations. To not understand that my God has a purpose for everything would be the most helpless, hopeless feeing I could imagine. I could not survive the questions that are left unanswered by anything this world tries to offer as an explanation.
Scripture says that the Word of God is a breathing entity. I used to puzzle over that. How could a book breathe? But as I have sat down and read those ancient words, the spirit of heaviness has been lifted from me as God the Holy Spirit breathes new life into my crushed heart. Something miraculous happens when I trust, by faith, that the words I am reading are the truth. My circumstances do not always change immediately, but my perspective on them does instantaneously when I accept those words as truth. Hope is the one thing that I need during the crisis and that is what Scripture gives to me over and over again.
Psalm 62:6-8 (New International Version)
6 He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be shaken.
7 My salvation and my honor depend on God; he is my mighty rock, my refuge.
8 Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge.
Psalm 89:8-9 (New International Version)
8 O LORD God Almighty, who is like you?
You are mighty, O LORD, and your faithfulness surrounds you.
9 You rule over the surging sea; when its waves mount up, you still them.
Psalm 147:4-6 (New International Version)
4 He determines the number of the stars
and calls them each by name.
5 Great is our Lord and mighty in power; his understanding has no limit.
My responsibility is to cling to the Rock that is higher than me. I don’t have to be the rock; He is the Rock – the immovable, unchangeable, completely faithful Rock that has the power to bring all things into conformity to His will. Nothing that happens to me or those I love gets past Him. Nothing. And although I cannot begin to see how the situation will bring Him glory if He has allowed it, my Redeemer does.
Life is but a vapor. But life that is real life is just ahead on the other side of eternity when I will see Him face to face and all the questions will be answered. On that day, I will be able to say with my whole heart:
“He is the Rock, his works are perfect,
and all his ways are just.
A faithful God who does no wrong,
upright and just is he.” Deuteronomy 32:4
I am so sorry about your friend. I had seen your statuses but didn't understand what had happened. Does she have children? What a week this had been, huh? so so sad.