“My
heart aches, but I always have joy...”
2 Corinthians 6:10 (NLT)
More and more, I realize how, as a Christian, I am living in two worlds at the same time. I am
living here in this world that daily brings me face to face with the darkest reality of the consequences of a sinful, broken
world. I look into the faces of abused women seeking safety from angry men who were once their hope of
happily ever after; the faces of motherless children seeking the comfort of compassionate arms wrapped around them; the faces
of fatherless children acting out, desperately seeking any kind of attention that will get them noticed; the faces of distraught
men seeking any available resources to relieve the impossible burden of caring for a family with little or no income; the
faces of co-workers seeking assurance that they will have a job to return to next fall due to the enormous budget cuts; the
face of my boss, my dear friend whom I love deeply, seeking hope that she will conquer the battle of breast cancer. Yes,
because of this world I live in, my heart aches.
But, I also live in the Spiritual
world. In this world I daily come face to face with the reality that there is so much more to this life
than I can ever comprehend. I come face to face with amazing grace that is offered to all who will reach
out and take it. I look into the very face of a Savior that loved the world so much that He gave His life
for it. I am ever aware that the very Spirit of the Living God lives in me! And
because of the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, I can look into the faces of those who are separated from God, those who live
only in the world of death, and I can offer hope, compassion, love, grace, peace, silence, hugs, tears, joy, understanding,
assurance…I can offer them life in another world. In the Spiritual world, I find peace that passes
understanding; grace that covers my sinful self; comfort and safety in the arms of Almighty God; assurance of eternal life;
joy that contradicts my circumstances. Yes, because of this Spiritual world I have the
privilege of living in, I always have joy.
