Lessons from the homeless
“What then shall we say to this? If God is for us, who is against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all, will he not also give us all things with him? Who shall bring a charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies; who is to condemn? It is Christ Jesus, who died, yes, who was raised from the dead, who is at the right hand of God, who indeed intercedes for us? Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, for your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered? No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:31-39)
It may seem as if there is nothing but despair, violence, anger, hatred, and disappointment surrounding you. The news promulgates division, crime, and fear. We know, however, that Christ provides the opposite. It is through Christ that God extends the fullness of His love. When you feel discouraged, remember that God is your hope and your future. When you feel fearful, remember Christ is your strength and your peace. When you feel a sense of fear, remember there is no fear that can prevent the love of God from reaching you.
Paul tells us that even though the world looks bleak, the love of God breaks through everything Satan’s world throws at us. God’s love overcomes evil. When you feel hated, judged, condemned, or persecuted, remember God’s love overshadows all of it. There are events and people in our life that convince us we are worthless and have no value. God says you are worth the life of His only Son.
You may be staring at a bank account that is in the red. You may be looking at an empty pantry and skimpy refrigerator while wondering what you are going to feed your children for dinner. You may be borrowing a neighbor’s vehicle because yours is in the car repair shop, and you do not have money for the repairs. You may have just been given the promotion of your life at work. It does not matter if you are struggling with circumstances in life or if you are experiencing success, God’s love will always walk with you and guide you. God is love. His love will never leave you because God will never abandon you.