For Such a Time as This

“When my heart is overwhelmed, lead me to the Rock that is higher than I.” ~ Psalm 61:2

Have you ever been at the top of a mountain and looked out over the valley below? Most views from that vantage point are absolutely breathtaking, aren’t they? When I lived in Alaska, I would marvel at the grandeur of God’s creation. There were beautiful, snow covered mountains all around me. I never grew weary of looking at them. I was in complete awe when I’d think all of that majestic beauty was spoken into existence. God said the words and the mountains appeared. Nothing is impossible for Him. Absolutely nothing.

Yet, even as I gazed upon and marveled at those breathtaking views God placed on the earth, my heart was overwhelmed when I realized the mountains weren’t what God considered His greatest creation. Nor did He consider the oceans or the finest detail of the solar system that spins above us as His greatest work. While all of those things are good and shout the magnificence of our amazing God, they still don’t even come close to His greatest creation. And what would that be, you ask? It’s a very easy question to answer. God’s greatest creation is US! You and me!

When God created the heavens and the earth, He said it was good. When He created us, He said it was very good. He didn’t use those two words for anything else on earth except for us. We are very good.

I’ve been thinking about that for the past few weeks as our world has been turned upside down over an airborne enemy that we cannot see. I have never experienced anything like this before and I would guess, you haven’t either. Our world has come to a stand-still seemingly overnight. I am not downplaying the seriousness of our situation whatsoever. In fact, it’s quite the contrary. What is happening in our world is very serious and we should take every precaution to protect ourselves and those we love. But, now more than ever, we should be turning our eyes heavenward and running to the Rock that is higher than we are. God has an amazing vantage point. He sees us. He sees our situation. He knows what is happening. None of this is a surprise to Him. He knew it would happen before the foundation of the world. He knew you’d be right where you are, at this very moment, caught up in an unknown situation, without a lot of answers. And it’s in moments exactly like this, He is closer to us than ever.

I know that may not make logical sense but I know that I know that I know it’s true! I have lived it. It’s my testimony.

When my former spouse walked out on me two plus years ago, I had absolutely no idea what I was going to do. Where would I live? Where would I work? How would I pay bills? I was caught up in an unknown situation, without a lot of answers. I had a choice to make. Do I run from God or do I run to God? I am thankful to say I chose the latter. I knew my situation was not a surprise to Him. He knew it would happen before the foundation of the world. Did He want me to be crushed and feel unfathomable grief? I do not believe He did. However, did He allow it to happen so He could show me Who He is and what He could do with a life situation that crushed me to my very soul? That’s an easy answer as well. Yes, He did. I didn’t see it then but I clearly see it now.

If He hadn’t allowed all of those events to take place in my life back then, I would not be who I am now. I would not be at peace. I would not be free from abuse. I would not have this amazing ministry I share with my best friend. I would not have you to encourage or to lift up in whatever situation you’re faced with. But, most of all, I wouldn’t know who God truly is and how very much He loves me. He allowed all of that grief and pain to touch my life because He loves me. I didn’t understand that two years ago but I understand it now.

God loves us so much that He sent His one and only Son into this crazy, sinful world to become one of us. He was fully God and fully man at the same time. He experienced every single thing we experience in this life yet He was without sin.

The writer of Hebrews penned it best this way:

“For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin. Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”  ~ Hebrews 14:15 & 16 NASB

The high priest mentioned in this scripture is Jesus! He is our High Priest. And I am in absolute awe how the second part is phrased. Let us draw near with confidence to God’s throne of grace!  Do you know what that means? It means we can come before God boldly because of what Jesus has done for us. Not boldly in a prideful way but humbly and confidently that He will hear us and listen when we call on Him. Jesus’ sacrificial death and His resurrection 3 days later, enables us to have a personal relationship with God the Father and He wants to hear us. He wants to know we want Him, we need Him, and cannot get through this life without Him!

I know I couldn’t.

In this time when fear is rampant and we’re facing a situation we do not understand, there is One who does. Perhaps we were created for such a time as this. For such a time as this.

Right here. Right now. In this moment. God sees you. He has a great vantage point. He sees His breathtaking creation of you. There is no one else like you. He created you special, just the way He wanted. He chose your eye color and your hair color. Whether you’re short or tall. Skinny or fluffy. Freckles or not. Curly hair or straight hair. Big feet or little feet. Long fingers or short ones. He created you just as He desired and you are not only good. You are very good. 

God may be allowing such a time as this brief yet crucial moment in your life, when the world is actually still and in waiting for what is next, to give you time to turn your eyes to Him. To give you time to press into Jesus. To give you time to run to Him. He is there and He is waiting for you. He is for you! All you have to do is talk to Him. Tell Him how you need Him. Tell Him how you feel. Tell Him how you hurt. Tell Him all your fears. Tell Him whatever is on your mind. He’s there and He’ll listen. He understands. He longs to be your Friend. I can testify to this fact from the bottom of my heart, there is no other friend better than Jesus. He loves you unconditionally and completely. He won’t care how many times you repeat yourself or how many times you use different words to convey the same thought. He totally gets you! He will fill your heart and your life with so much peace, it will be overwhelming. I know this because He did it for me. He still does it for me!

I’m no one special either. I’m just a 56 year-old, single woman with 3 kids, 2 sons-in-law, 5 grandkids, and an 8 to 5 job. I’m not famous by any stretch. I’m just compelled by the Holy Spirit within me to share my life, my heart, my experience, my joy, my pain, my lessons, my insights, and, most of all, my Jesus with you.

Jesus is my life, y’all. He is my everything and I long for Him to be yours.

If you have a prayer need or just want to share something God has shown you or taught you, please leave a comment below. I’d love to hear from you. If I can share one thing that will bring you hope or encouragement on your journey through this life, I would consider it an honor and a privilege to do so.

Oh, how I love Him!