The song that's been in my heart all week is a tough one to take. Its words are true, its message is real, but its hard. My song this week is Even If by Kutless. Here are the words in the chorus to start us off...
"Even if the healing doesn't come
And life falls apart
And dreams are still undone
You are God You are good
Forever faithful One
Even if the healing
Even if the healing doesn't come "
I can sing these words all day long when 'Life', my life, is going good. But what about when the tragic happens, or the dreams fail? Do I still believe it? My Bible tells me, "These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world." John 16:33 I know that we are going to face trial, heartbreak, and tragedy while we are on this earth. I know that just because I love God and He loves me that my entire life isn't going to be gumdrops and roses all the time. Sin entered this world and when it did, with it came more sin...causing heartache, separation, and death. By the grace of God, He has offered us a Savior from our sins. And for those of us who accept His loving gift we will have eternity in His perfect presence someday. But we still have a rough road to travel in this earthly life of ours.
It seems lately so many people that I care about are dealing with tragedy, heartache, illness, and loss. So many good Christian people are going home to be with our Lord in what seems to us too early. So many people are dealing with pain that this life brings, losing loved ones, losing jobs and not knowing where their needs will come from, feeling like a failure, feeling lost and alone in this cruel world. Not all dreams come true and not all marriages last, not all households are perfect, and not all Christians are living the high life.
Now I know it is appointed that we all must die and there is no guaranteed age of 75 or 80. I know that God has His perfect reasons even when we don't understand. I have lost friends at a very young age and I just don't understand...even today I have struggles with why? I have personally seen such tragedies bring about glory in His name. If we allow Him to work and trust that although our heart hurts, He is in control-we can heal thru Him. I think of the Missionaries-the Cretzman family who while traveling on debutation last year were in a horrible accident. The mother was injured very badly and had to undergo multiple surgeries...their baby girl was fine, but their older toddler daughter was killed instantly. Just like that, a sheet of ice on the road changed their world forever. They could have said we need a break after this tragedy. Understandably they could have put their mission on hold. But thru their faith in God and their trust that even in this tragedy He is good and He is God and He is faithful and full of blessing, they carried on. They kept with their mission and they have seen soooo many come to Christ because of it, so many inspired people that have returned to their faith, so many who just were encouraged to keep on like them.
Today as there are so many sad and discouraging things going on around me, (I will be attending my 2nd & 3rd funeral in a week on Thursday), as people I love are hurting, my heart is breaking, and I keep trying to grab for the Hope only He can bring...I can say that I do believe these words. He is still good...He is God. God of my life. and I Trust Him. There have been times I haven't understood my God's ways. Times I am at my breaking point and I literally just scream and cry out to my Lord, WHY GOD, WHY!? WHERE ARE YOU?! WHY ARE YOU DOING THIS?! And ya know what...as bad as I feel for doubting Him, He always shows up. He always comes to calm my spirit and remind me that He's here...and HE's got this. He IS the Forever Faithful One. My Father...Even if the healing doesn't come.
Sometimes all we have to hold on to
Is what we know is true of who You are
So when the heartache hits like a hurricane
That could never change who You are
And we trust in who You are
Even if the healing doesn't come
And life falls apart
And dreams are still undone
You are God You are good
Forever faithful One
Even if the healing
Even if the healing doesn't come
[ Lyrics from: http://www.lyricsfreak.com/k/kutless/even+if_21003553.html ]
Lord we know your ways are not our ways
So we set our faith in who You are
Even though You reign high above us
You tenderly love us
We know Your heart
And we rest in who You are
You're still the Great and Mighty One
We trust You always
You're working all things for our good
We'll sing your praise
You are God and we will bless You
As the Good and Faithful One
You are God and we will bless You
Even if the healing doesn't come
Even if the healing doesn't come
