“Man, who is born of woman, is short-lived and full of turmoil” – Job 14:1. These words of the Old Testament poster child of tragedy and turmoil are so true. Job lost his children, his wealth and his standing among his friends. I have gone back and looked at various news headlines just from the North Alabama area and everyday this week has been filled with turmoil that have directly impacted families and these are just local headlines. There have been young people that have drowned, people senselessly murdered, elderly people wandering away from home due to suffering the ravages of dementia and tragic accidents that have taken people’s lives. This last example hits very close to home for the young people in our church. Wednesday evening a young lady tragically lost her life in an automobile accident that was part of our church youth ministry.
I observed last night as our teenagers gathered together to go visit the mom and grandmother of the young lady and it struck me that for many of these young people they had never experienced the death of friend their own age and one was part of their tight knit group. I wanted to just share a few things I observed. First, I observed a group of young people that were broken-hearted and grieving for a friend. Secondly, I observed some that embraced each other as a way of bringing comfort to one another. Thirdly, I observed some laughing about different things that Shae had said or done. Fourth, I observed them loving on and encouraging the family that is grieving something that is just not the natural order of things. When I think of all these observations, I am struck that these young people were the very hands and feet of Jesus yesterday. Jesus grieved. He grieved the death of His friend Lazarus. The bible simply says, “Jesus wept” (John 11:35). Jesus embraced/loved on others. His disciples, lepers, children and just sinners in general. The bible says that Jesus is a friend of sinners. Jesus gathered and enjoyed/laughed/had a good time with friends and family. Case in point, the wedding at Cana in John 2. Wedding parties at that time were joyous, festive events and Jesus was right there in the middle of it. Jesus also loved and cared for others, even those that were not necessarily close friends.
Finally, as I close this weeks blog, I want to say that what I saw yesterday gives me hope in the future. Many times our young people, especially teenagers are given a bad rap, but I saw something much different yesterday. I saw a group of teenagers that become the hands and feet of Jesus. They were not only wonderful ambassadors for our church family, but more importantly, they were ambassadors for Jesus in their “Jerusalem”. I am very proud to be their pastor and left yesterday feeling pretty good about the future. Yes, as the death of this young lady reminded us, “Man who is born of woman is short-lived and full of turmoil”, however we are given encouragement from Jesus Christ. Jesus during the final hours of His earthly ministry, as He faced the cross, knew His disciples were fearful and anxious about what was going on during those moments. He gave them and us these words of encouragement when he said, “In this world, you will have tribulation, but have courage, I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).
Be Blessed!,
Keith