A Call to Life

“I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.” - Paul, Romans 8:18

I recently reviewed the tragedy that hit the U.S. on 9/11. I scrolled articles and watched YouTube footage of that fateful day. 9/11 happened just months after our family moved to the midwestern USA from Canada. I remember where I was when I heard the news. So do you.

In my first book, I wrote:

“The resurrection of Jesus Christ that secured unending life for all is built into the fabric of everyday living.

The cross is the pinnacle and symbol of this great paradox: death brings life…

[So] Every time you see a cross, remember this: death brings life. It’s not what you or I would have chosen, but it is the way life works.”
- (Meant to Live: Living in Light of the Good News)

I hear you begging, “But why? Why? Well, I don’t like the way life works. And God’s in charge, so what’s the deal with that?”

No one wants lofty platitudes when they’re in the middle of suffering. Save your breath, it’s just not the time.

But there does come a time when this very real paradox, that death brings life, is realized. Winter does eventually yield to spring. And there is a time when these difficult issues can be genuinely considered. We certainly don’t want to waste our suffering.

Death is a call to life. 9/11 was a call to look above the ashes and rubble, and rise. And rise we did.

In some of the media interviews I’ve had lately for the launch of my book, I’ve made this statement:

“If the message of this book isn’t true for a woman living in Tiberias, Israel, with eight children around her table demanding every bit of strength she can muster, or true when life throws you a wicked curve ball, then it’s not true at all.”

God is not the author of sin or evil. But He will steer it. And in it all, God will use these moments of death to stretch us to a more glorified life.

I’m real because God is so real.

CALLING

Sit with God and remember where you were when you heard the news of September 11, 2001. Pray for this and every nation that has suffered. Pray that we would all look up and live.

 Meant to Live. September 17th. Releases everywhere