Through The Voice Of Sorrow

What shall I say God save me from this hour? John 12:27

Ever since my wife walked out of my life I have allowed my house to be the gathering spot for all these restless wayward teens. I have to admit these walls have heard a lot of laughter. Yet I still can't help but wonder.

I wonder which one is going to be the first to genuinely ask me about Christ. Which one is going to be the first to surrender to the cross?

You see, not one of them have known sorrow. Not one has trudged through the valley. Not one has survived the hurting emotions of a spouse leaving. Not one has felt empty and alone. Not one has worked their fingers to the bone only to loose their house from a changing economy.

I am sure many of these teens will climb the corporate ladder to success. Some will be successful business owners. Oh they are so ready to set the world on fire. But I did not find God in my days of $200,000 income. I was too puffed up for that. I was too filled with myself for Christ to ever invade my soul.

It is through the voice of sorrow that God calls us. Although our hearts ask, " Why Lord must this be"? In our humanness we fail to recognize that even Christ could not stop the agony He was called to endure.

God allows suffering so that we can come along side those that are suffering and in an encouraging way present the gospel. It either brings us closer to the cross and we end up cradling the throne or we end up rejecting Christ and chasing the world and it's ways. Let them that suffer according to the will of God commit their souls to Him, in doing good as to a faithful creator. 1st Peter 4:19.

Our heartache becomes gateways to the world. Let us rejoice in the fire of our sorrows. Let us take every anguish to Christ and ask how He intends to use them to nourish others, touch others and move others one step closer to the cross.

Even Though I was Unaware

I knew a man when I was young
That spoke of Jesus Christ.
And even though I was unaware
His presence changed my life.

His house was filled with laughter.
He gave all that he could give.
And even though I was unaware
He taught me how to live.

His joy was always evident.
He often had a song.
And if by chance I had a bad day
He could sense that something was wrong.

This friend has touched me deeply
As he has shown me Jesus Christ.
And even though I was unaware
He forever changed my life.