There is always a choice

“For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:38-39

Minister and author Max Lucado writes in Everyday Blessings, that the Bible is the story of two gardens, Eden and Gethsemane. Eden was the beginning, and Gethsemane was far from being the end.

In a few words Lucado reminds the reader there are consequences to the road not traveled and the path taken. We have choices every day that take us away from or toward God. Jesus leads the way, but each of us gets to decide whether we will follow. There was one path Jesus took that none could walk with him, the path that led to the hill where he would be put to a brutal death. And then came the garden moment when he was seen by two women who went to honor his death only to find he was very much alive. We enter into the Lenten season to prepare for his resurrection celebration. God with us, God in us and God for us.

Listen and you will hear

Cast all your anxiety on Him for He cares for you. 1 Peter 5:7

I’m part of an online prayer ministry that is both heartbreaking and uplifting. The heartbreak comes from realizing how many people are in deep distress. The needs are as wide as a river and as high as a mountain, daunting in scope and depth. My constant prayer is that each requester will be reminded by someone close to them of the words found in 1 Peter 5:7. Cast all your anxiety on Him for He cares for you. 

I am uplifted by the number of people who write in to say, “Thanks.” Thanks for praying for me. Thanks for listening. Thanks for responding. Thanks to God for life and grace.

In our lives at least once a day we come into contact with someone who just wants us to listen. Not talk, not give advice, not judge… just listen.