standing on the edge

I think we've all been there before.

You know that place...looking out on the edge of eternity.

On the verge of greatness...

On the brink of a miracle...

And then devastation hits and all hope,
all dreams,
all plans seem lost.

Here's the good news.  They're not lost--not by a long shot.

Over the course of this summer, Oklahoma has been lost to drought.  The economic and environmental challenges this drought brought have seemed devastating.  Farmer's are paying as much as $100 for a bail of hay that would have cost $20.

This is not good.  Not good at all.

And then a few weeks ago we were rocked with wildfires that threatened entire towns.  Actually, there were a few towns that were destroyed.  Many homes were lost.  Many business were lost.

But this tragedy did bring some good.  For one, it proved as a source of unity.  Family and friends fought the fires together.  And when the fires were over, the communities came together to provide aid to people who'd lost everything they owned except each other.

But that's not all.  Next year, it is very likely that the crops will be more productive because of the nitrates restored to the ground from the ash.  In fact, my friends' yard is already greener than it's been in years.  The trees are bare, but the grass...it's green and lush and good.

One thing is for certain, God never says that life will be easy.  In fact, He says life will be difficult.  It's going to be hard.  We will have hurt and pain.  Life won't be easy.  But life's outcome, hardship and famine, does not negate God's goodness and faithfulness.

In Romans 8:28 we find a much quoted scripture that I'm afraid is often used incorrectly.  "And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them."  Looking at the context, Paul flatly tells the church of Rome that they will experience trouble, but ultimately God's perfect love will keep them.

Here's what's remarkable: God's perfect love will keep you too.

If you and your spouse are on the brink of divorce, God's love will keep you.

If you've lost your job and don't see any hope in the market, God's love will keep you.

If you've been rejected by the only person you've really loved, God's perfect love will keep you.

If you feel lonely and sad and cold there's warmth and happiness and joy.  God's perfect love will keep you.

When all hope seems to be lost, never to be recovered, God's perfect love will keep you.

In the meantime, submit to His plan and allow Him to be supreme Lord over your life.  Another difficult step, true, but one that will be most worth it all.

Recently I've come to understand this.  I hate hurt whether that be emotional or physical or even spiritual. But there is beauty in the pain.  There is life in the pain.  Pain helps me to feel real and alive.  And it makes the times that are full of joy and happiness that much sweeter.

Find love today and be inspired to give love today.  There's hope in pain.