I love light. Whether it’s the warm glow of a candle, blinking stars in all their moonlit wonder, or a string of Christmas lights on a house, there is something about light that attracts me and leaves me awestruck. Awestruck not only for it’s beauty but also because it is a constant reminder of the Light I encountered almost two years ago – the Light that shined in my darkness.
Two years ago I was left in the dark. It was Christmas-time and I heard carols playing, saw people shopping, and sat through holiday festivities filled with the pain of anxiety and depression. In darkest season of my life, I was without hope in a time I knew it was suppose to abound. While many stirred in anticipation for the hope found in a Savior, I was looking for one.
While light radiated into my life on several occasions, one that had a significant impact was shown through a family named the Luskos. I watched them in the darkest time of their lives shine brightly like a lighthouse in a dark storm. I watched as the young pastor and his wife vulnerably shed tears but also watched as they stood and proclaimed hope only a few days after their little girl was ushered into heaven. They spoke with such confidence, such passion, and such hope that there was a quiet presence of Someone holding them up, a power that gave them to do what they did. Illuminating before me, I stood back in admiration and wonder examining my own life and heart. My own darkness. Could there be hope like that for me?
I heard the story of their little girl. I watched her celebration of life via live stream and heard countless testimonies of Lenya Lusko’s hope-filled life. Gaining vision, I saw her joy and her vibrancy in all she did and with tear-filled eyes longed for what she had. Like many in the dark, I saw a flicker of light that sparked in my heart and yearned for the Light of Jesus Christ.
The light of the Lusko family was just a reflection of an inward light they projected. Like a candle, star, or string of Christmas lights, I was captivated by what I saw. You see, the holidays for many bring out the pain inside where there is no hope to be found. Sorrow, grief, anxiety, despair, and pain are often the realities of those in the dark blinded from truth. A life that apart from Jesus Christ is void of peace, joy, and hope – the reason Jesus came!
Named “The Light of the World,” Jesus Christ has come into our dark world and shined His light bringing hope to the hopeless. His light expels all darkness and is so powerful that the darkness cannot even comprehend it! (John NKJV). The awesomeness about Christmas is that God came to our world for us (His name means Emmanuel, “God With Us). He came as a baby to live so we could have the Light of life and hope of Himself as Savior to shine through the darkness of our lives.
When I surrendered my life to Jesus almost two years ago, Jesus’ light was able to dispel the darkness of sin, depression, and anxiety and give me a deep sense of peace, joy, and hope. Now, I’ve experienced what I saw in the Lusko family and desire to shine the hope that I have received.
When hope is lost and when we are left in the dark, it’s time to turn on the Light. A Light that shined through to a dark world millions of years ago as a Savior came on the scene and a Light that still shines brightly for you and me.
“But no man can tame the tongue, it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men…” - James 3:8-9 (NKJV)
While observing small children interacting with one another now and then I’d see an honoree child stick his tongue out at another child. Now honestly, how does that childe know to use his tongue as little weapon to hurt others? It is such a small fleshly culprit that one minute can be delightful and another minute destructive. We adult’s aren’t too different from the honoree kid. Aren’t we the same when we use our tongue for good or bad?
Children can say the funniest things or be blatantly honest. I’ll never forget this story a grandma shared with me. Her grandchild came to see her. Climbs onto her lap while they cuddled in her rocking chair when he abruptly turns and looks at her and say’s, “Grandma you got a mustache!” His grandma chuckled and thought that was so funny. It’s cute when kid’s do it but not so appropriate for an adult to say something like that (laugh out loud).
Once I was in a store and a woman in her late sixties was shopping with an eight year-old boy. The salesgirl told the boy to tell “his grandma’’ that certain items were on sale.The boy quickly replies loudly, “that’s my Mom!” The salesgirl remained speechless. The mom ignored the comment and continued shopping.
What about the time a guest at a party, a perfect stranger tries to make small talk with this woman as their waiting in line for a buffet? She then asks the woman “so how many months are you?” The woman graciously says, “I’m not pregnant!” Ouch!
There’s that darn little force at work again. Lesson one: Speaking without thinking! Be tactful and don’t assume and put your foot in your mouth
Let’s move onto another story. A friend told me she remembered going to her doctor’s office, when the secretary (a talebearer) decides to give her an ear-full about her doctor being gay - revealing his personal information outside of his professional life as a physician. My friend was disturbed by all she heard and it made her feel uncomfortable at her doctor’s visit. She never addressed the doctor concerning his secretary.
Here, this conniving little instrument is up to his tricks spreading rumors. Lesson two: Don’t be gossiping behind other people’s backs.
Words can be used to edify or to tear down.
On another occasion my Mom told me she drove to a gas station moving slowly until she was finishing pumping gas when an impatient teen honks and yells at my Mother, “get out of the way, you old B----.”My Mother said she calmly got back into her car turned to the girl and said, “God bless you have a nice day,” and drove away. Meanwhile, the angry girl continued shouting obscenities at her.
People nowadays lack self control and have no respect for one another anymore.
Beware of that ruthless little fire that doesn’t care who gets burnt. Lesson three: Refrain from using foul dirty language and hurting others.
We all have heard stories about cruel words and how it’s affected a person’s life. It’s painful when words are exchanged that can’t be taken back but even more hurtful when it’s coming from your own loved ones. They are horrible words that roll off our tongue and labels that wound deep and scar for life. For example: “you’re stupid,” “you’re lazy,” “I hate you,” “You’ll never amount to anything,” “I never loved you,” “you’re not welcome here,” and “you’re ugly,” are all words that wound.
The tongue is such a small deadly bite filled with venom. Lesson four: Know when to speak and when to hold your tongue (self control).
Finally, let’s talk about the words of Jesus. His tongue spoke with beautiful, uplifting, encouraging, gracious, truthful, and loving words. He is our ultimate example and role model.
Jesus said: “Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love,”(Jeremiah 31:3).
Jesus also spoke with words of authority and boldness: “And they were astonished at His teaching, for His word was with authority,” (Luke 4:32).
Jesus spoke with a tongue of tenderness and compassion: “Now Jesus called His disciples to Himself and said, “I have compassion on the multitude, because they have now continued with Me three days and have nothing to eat. And I do not want to send them away hungry, lest they faint on the way,’” (Matthew 15:32),
Jesus spoke with non-critical words: “…He said to her, ‘Woman, where are your accusers of yours? Has no one condemned you?’ She said, ‘No one, Lord.’ And Jesus said to her, ‘Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more,’’’ (John 8: 10- 11).
After looking at Jesus words, we see how much we fall short but it’s not impossible to discipline ourselves.
In all honesty ladies, our tongues are wicked and we are selective as to how and to whom we choose to use it. I would go as far to say we know when and are aware how we choose to use it. You are lying to yourself if you say you aren’t aware. We just don’t want to take responsibility. Its easy to not have control anyone of us can do that. It’s much harder to have control and discernment. That’s why you have to desire to change and learn to have self control. I’m sure any one of you have experienced one of these situations before. I know I have, let’s take a look how we can work on how to tame our wild tongues for good:
1.Read your bible daily. This is your spiritual nourishment and communication with God. The results of reading your bible produces these qualities: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self control,” (Galatians 5:22).
2.Avoid being sucked into gossip. Simply don’t partake or respond. People who like to gossip usually want some kind of response and when they see you’re not biting, it’s no fun and they go to someone else. Also, we have to be careful to check everything with the facts. We do not want to be gullible to believe half truths and speak hastily about someone. Proverbs 4:24 says, “Put away from you a deceitful mouth, and put devious lips far from you.” Additionally, Proverbs 11:13 in the NIV states, “A gossip betrays a confidence, but a trustworthy man keeps a secret.”
3.Be aware of the choices of words you are using in conversation with others - are they edifying or deflating? Ephesians 4:29 states, “Let no corrupt word proceed out of our mouths except for necessary edification and grace to the hearer.” Colossians 3:8 in the NIV also says, “But now you must rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips.”
4.Speak to others how you want to be spoken to. We need to stop using unwholesome speech. We need to speak according to Gods wisdom and love so that our words will be seasoned with grace. Colossians 4:4says, “Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each other.” Proverbs 16:24 also states, “Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the bones.”
5.If we blow it (like I know we all will) Repent (i.e. admit you’re wrongs to Jesus) confess your sins. The Lord will forgive you and give you a new start. A sign of true repentance is change. Learn from your mistakes and don’t do it again. 1 John 1:9 says, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” Likewise, Proverbs 17:27 in the NIV states, “A man of knowledge uses words with restraint, and a man of understanding is even- tempered.”
In closing, we need to pray and ask the Lord to take control and lead us to walk in the spirit. When we walk in the spirit we behave like the Lord would have us be toward others - a simple lesson yet so difficult.
Isaiah 50:4: “The Lord God has given me, the tongue of the learned, that I should know how to speak a word in season to him who is weary.”
“And Mary said: ‘My Soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior...’” - Luke 1:46-47 (NKJV)
Since the time I was a little girl, I have loved the story of The Grinch Who Stole Christmas. Something about the green creature intrigued me (not to mention the oodles of crazy words that Dr. Seuss used and the fact that the story involved my favorite holiday – Christmas). As a child, the story was charming tale of Whos that lived in a whimsical land, as a teenager it was a beloved story, but as an adult, it’s a reminder of truth.
You see the Grinch felt that if he stole all the presents, annulled the festivities, and removed the yummy food (including the last can of who hash) he would inevitably capture the Whos joy as well. When the cheerful Welcome Christmas song of the Whos reached the Grinch’s green ears, he thought and thought until his “puzzler” was sore. Sore because with all his craftiness, he did not stop Christmas from coming
Today we don’t have a grinch who lives up on a mountain conjuring up sneaky schemes against us, but we do however have an enemy who is just as real as the green villain was to the Whos. He is our adversary known as Satan (or the Devil) who plans and schemes to ruin your Christmas. John 10:10 calls him a “thief” with an agenda to steal, kill, and destroy and like the Grinch, he would love more than ever to steal any bit of Christmas he can away from you.
While Satan uses various tactics to steal our Christmas, most of them boil down to three categories: distraction, difficult circumstances, and blindness to the truth. If we will let him, he will use those tactics to make us anxious, depressed, condemned, overworked, confused, absent from the truth, and hopeless. That is, if we are unaware of his tactics.
Yet, not all of life’s difficulties are not brought on by the enemy of our souls. Some are bought on by the fallen world we live in, by our own sinful nature, the sinful nature of others, and some are allowed by a God who loves us. Why? So he can use those difficulties to change us for the better and teach us to trust Him in the good plan He has that gives us a future and a hope (Jeremiah 29:11, NIV). But like the Whos, we too have a choice when faced with difficulty: choose to be a victim? Or choose to rejoice?
How do we do make the right choice? Our answer is found not found in Whoville, but in the true story of a small town teenager who choose to rejoice when faced with opposition. Her name was Mary. The 15-16 year-old who lived in poverty and challenging times under Roman tyranny received word from the angel Gabriel that she would be a Mom – the Mom of Jesus Christ the Lord. Although she didn’t quite understanding it all and probably felt inadequate, Mary embraced the opportunity even if that brought on accusations that she had her son out of wedlock. It was a label she had to live with but a label that faded in light of the blessing Mary saw when she gained perspective.
Mary was so excited at the news that she ran over to her cousin Elizabeth and shared it. This followed with a song. No, it was not Welcome Christmas that was sung by the Whos, but a song from her heart better known as the Magnificat. In her song, Mary stated, “My Soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior...” According to the John Courson Application Commentary of the New Testament, the soul refers to one’s mind and emotions. Courson states, “The spirit speaks of one’s essence – that which will live forever. The soul relates primarily to people; the spirit relates to God.” This means, Mary chose to rejoice in her Spirit (the deepest part of her that was directed to God) which then projected outwardly. Her decision to sing in the midst of difficultly made all the difference in her life. When Mary chose to magnify (make God big) Mary saw her problems as small. Her difficulties were eclipsed when Mary saw the big picture – Jesus coming into the world as Savior!
When we choose to magnify Jesus, our natural response (like Mary) is to rejoice. We can sing because as Mary stated “For He who is mighty has done great things for me…” (Luke 1: 49). Although our difficulties are hard and painful, we can still have a song to sing if we know (as Mary did) that the Savior has come.
Accepting Stillness for the Blessing that It Is Posted by Renee Goble
“Abide in me, and I in you[… ]I am the vine, you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me, you can do nothing.”
John 15:4a, 5; ESV
Honestly, I didn’t feel like writing this week. In fact, I was less than excited. It was one of those weeks where you just feel grumpyand you don’t want to talk to people at all. You just want to be left alone to think and drink copious amounts of tea while you mope about your life… your uneventful life.
After returning from a 6 month mission trip, I was expecting to rest. I expected to spend my days going on road trips and staying out late at the beach, possibly working on the side while exploring America.
I like to do things. I’m always doing things—whether it’s serving in youth group, or helping out at church, or studying, or going on long missionary adventures. I feel most satisfied when I’m out helping people, or exploring the world or writing. It’s the way I’m wired. But this year God has been emphasizing “rest” to me—something that I desperately needed, but didn’t want to admit I needed.
Which is why this season has been a struggle. My expectations for what rest should have looked like haven’t totally been met.
Do you know how weird it is telling people that you feel God is calling you into a season of rest for the remainder of the year?
If you’re me, you feel like you should be coming up with a more productive answer than—“Oh, I’m reading a lot, and hanging out with friends, and trying to be intentional about spending time with God… no, I don’t currently have a job, no I’m not in school… yeah I’m living with my parents again and I don’t have a car… no—I don’t know what’s next. Yes, yes I have been watching more TV than I should…”
People are usually pretty interested and understanding, even if they look a bit confused by your decision.However, when you’re two months into this season and you have at least two months left to go, and people are still asking you, “what are you going to do?” You kind of just want to crawl into a giant hole and hide and say – “I DON’T KNOW! Leave me alone!”
This has been a season of quiet and soul searching. It’s been a time where everything that I have once used to form an identity has been stripped away, and I am left with who I am in Jesus. It’s been a time where I have had to face my deepest fears and hardest thoughts—and there’s been nowhere to run and nowhere to hide.
So, I find myself with a lot of time on my hands, no money, and this restlessness settling in. When I try to look for jobs, I keep getting this sense of uneasiness, as if God is saying—“not yet, not now, wait with Me, rest with Me”... And I don’t really like it…
…Which is why I need it.
Until I can learn to be satisfied with being me and being me with Jesus, I will never be ready to do anything for Him.
Something I learned in university is that “being is more important than doing.” I have this little phrase written in my Bible, in my journal, and on my computer. I’ve talked about it, I’ve read about it, and oh my—have I thought about it. It’s a beautiful and encouraging concept… which I am just now beginning to deeply comprehend.
Like Martha and Mary in the Bible, God is first and foremost concerned about you spending time with Him. Martha was a gifted servant—she was great at it. There is nothing wrong with being a “Martha” as long as we realize the value of simultaneously being a “Mary.” We must understand the importance, the necessity of being still otherwise we will not be able to fully grasp the importance of serving—of doing.
Yes, we will be held accountable with what we chose to do with our time—I am NOT advocating laziness. I’m not even advocating everybody do what I do and quit your jobs for a season. You need to do what you are being called to do, but more than that—you need to know who you are called to be.
Jesus’ disciples were with Him two years and during that time—yes—they did ministry. But countless hours were spent soaking up the words, teachings and love of Jesus, so that they could display it to others. Because if you don’t have that solid foundation built upon a relationship with Christ, and if you haven’t spent time resting with Him and discovering His heart, what makes us think we can really do anything worthwhile for Him; especially when we really need to be doing worthwhile things with Him?
Are we choosing to know Jesus? Not just in our heads, but are we choosing to know Him intimately and passionately, in a way more real and loving than we can yet comprehend?
We will be held accountable for our choices, and it is important that we know what we should be doing. This requires becoming the person God created you to be. And the way we become that person is by spending time with Jesus. And ones of the best ways to spend time with Jesus is to rest with Him; be still with Him; and discover who He is in the intimate quiet moments when no one is watching, waiting, or judging—and you are forced to face your infinite smallness as you bask in the enormity of His grace and love.
Doing should be the outpouring of our relationship and love for Christ, because when all our works are stripped away along with all of our ministries and activities and opportunities; all we will have left is our relationship with Jesus.
But Samuel replied: ‘Does the Lord delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as much as in obeying the Lord? To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams.
- 1 Samuel 15:22 (NIV)
My daughter is the queen of negotiation. Everyday we find some thing new to wheel-and-deal over. I tell her, “Honey, did you pick up your toys?” And with a mouthful of food she says, “Yes—well, at least the ones I was playing with before dinner.” If I tell her, “Pumpkin, eat all your vegetables.” She points to her plate and replies, “Okay, Mom. How many of these things on my plate are really vegetables?” You should have heard the debate we had about tomatoes really being a vegetable or a fruit. New challenges, new scenarios, it does not matter the situation, my daughter will find a way to insert her will.
Although her bargain-style approach to my requests can become aggravating, I cannot come down too hard on her. You see my daughter is just like me; for I, too, love to negotiate. No, I do not debate food choices or portion sizes with my mother, nor do I argue about cleaning up. Yet, I am responsible for trying to bargain with my spiritual parent—Jesus.
In many instances in my life, I have known the truth of God’s Word, and instead, I have chosen to pursue the things that I thought were best—negotiating with God every step of the way. In my heart, I would feel convicted when I knew I was doing something wrong. For a second, I would stop and think about my actions. I would ponder if this was the best Biblical choice. Then, quietly, that little voice in my mind would start echoing, This is not that bad. God wants you to be happy. This not a big issue and everyone else--even Christians--are doing it. Yeah-- this can’t be wrong…right, God? As I continued to ignore the warning, the sting of conviction eventually subsided, and the momentary severity of my sin would diminish. So many times I was willing to surrender to the power of compromise to accomplish my will.
At this point, you may be saying, “This has no relevance to me. I do not compromise on anything serious.” Okay. Maybe your compromises were not as extreme as mine, but we all do it! It may not be a major life choice, but most often compromise can sound like this: “I did not read my Bible today and forgot to read yesterday…but I will read three chapters tomorrow. This way, I can catch up on my favorite T.V. show and be spiritual, too.” Or, tell me if this sounds familiar, “Wow, it is already Sunday! I have so much to do. Umm…I’m not going to church today, but I will be there next week.” For some compromise may even be something like dating a person who is not right for you, reading certain books, or hanging out with people who make poor choices. Whatever the situation, the power of compromise appeals to all of us!
I have news for you, compromise is not new concept. It was even a challenge for the first people on earth. In Genesis chapter 3 (I encourage you to read the chapter, if you have not), the Bible tells us that Eve, the first woman, struggled with the same battle. In this chapter, she is faced with a tough choice: Eat a delectable piece of fruit or obey a command that God gave her and her husband, Adam. Adding further difficulty to the situation, in the background we see the crafty and cunning serpent calling out to her saying, “Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden?’” (Remember the little voice that echoed in my head earlier. Doesn’t this phrase sound familiar? Satan, the serpent, loves to add confusion and temptation whenever compromise is involved. I will be touching on this topic in my next devotion.)
Eve was in quite the predicament! She could select what seemed to be a fleshly-pleasing, and even crowd-approving choice, or obey a commandment that prohibited her cravings. As her flesh desired something strongly, and Satan tempted her with confusing and conflicting thoughts, Eve chose to fall back on what she wanted, and not what was best for her. So, no surprise, but like the rest of us, Eve chose her desires over God’s commands.
Eve’s choices, my daughter’s choices, and even my choices are all motivated by one factor—a desire to serve my will. My choice to negotiate with Jesus and ask Him to look the other way, while doing what I wanted, was (and still is) rooted in the problem of selfish disobedience. This disobedience, when consistent and repetitive in action, will eventually become a tool of destruction—reeking havoc in our lives. But thankfully, Jesus offers us a cure.
If we chose to surrender our will, and submit to His, Jesus begins to change our heart. His Holy Spirit fills us, empowering our lives with wisdom and a desire for obedience. Jesus tells us in John 14:21 that, “Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love them and show myself to them” (NIV).This means that those who love Jesus, and seek to have a relationship with Him, will also desire to cast off their desires and compromises, and through His grace will keep His commandments (obedience), even when its not easy. Through actively seeking out Jesus, we begin to throw aside the things that are less worthy, instead of desiring temporary and unfulfilling pursuits. Our hearts will thirst for Jesus.
Friends, learning to obey can be difficult. I still have not mastered the skill. But, when we realize that it was through obedience that we were saved, since Jesus also obeyed His Father’s plan of the cross, our love will come as a natural, beautiful thing. As we see that Christ’s sacrifice was the ultimate act unselfish obedience, our hearts will begin to focus on what truly matters. For His sacrifice reminds us that our compromises—no matter how tempting—are not worthy, or even necessary, when we consider how deeply we are loved by Jesus and how His obedience saved us.
I will instruct you and teach you in the way which you should go; I will council you with My eye upon you.
- Psalm 32:8 (NASB)
I am one of those people who loves making plans. I like planning my days, filling out planners, schedules, and calendars. Not only do I make a plan A, B, and C, I also make a plan D just to be “safe.” Overkill? Absolutely. I also like making plans in a broader way. I plan out goals and dreams that I want to achieve. But, here is what I’ve learned over the years about myself, planning, and God’s say in matters.
He is a better planner than I am.
His plans always work out. They are always best for everyone in the long run (even when we can’t see that far ahead). His plans develop, grow, and shape us. His plans are better and more intricate than anything we could come up with.
But, I really, really like making plans! This isn’t necessarily a bad thing. Planning ahead makes us more organized, more productive, and typically prevents inconveniences. The determining factor of whether or not your love of planning is healthy or not is this: what do you do when God’s plans supersede yours?
It is bound to happen! The all-knowing Coordinator of the universe has a way of bringing unexpected events and circumstances across your path. These are unavoidable, unplanned for, and many time inconvenient interruptions in your picture-perfect plan. A talkative neighbor drops by just as you are leaving for the store; your mom suddenly needs your help doing laundry when you wanted to hang out with friends; traffic makes you late for work; etc.
One response is to become annoyed or frustrated and try to get back on track with your own plan as soon as humanly possible. Your perfect plan is calling! A different response is to see these interruptions for what they are – moments planned by God. These moments are forks in the road, and if you take just a second to ask God what He would like you to do, you will find that He has a better path than yours mapped out for you.
You might find out that the neighbor that is so talkative is really lonely. You might find that your mom has been overwhelmed and having help would be such a relief to her. You could be avoiding a catastrophe by being delayed in traffic. You could possibly be the only bright light in a difficult world that a person sees that day. You never know… But God does.
We can make plans, but we have to be able to let go of them and follow God’s leading when unexpected moments come. We have this idea that we can plan out our options and decisions along the roadways of life that will then make our lives stress free and convenient. But, can we really know what today brings, let alone tomorrow? Sometimes if feels as if we are riding a roller coaster backwards – one where there are forks in the tracks and the way you lean determines which fork you go down. (Terrifying analogy - I know). You never would be able to really know what is going to happen next. But, by listening to His guidance and instruction, we can be ready to lean into the right turns when they come along and hold on tight to Him during the sudden drops. He knows what is ahead.
When your plan for the day doesn’t work out, and even your plan B goes awry, take a moment to remember that God might have something else in mind for you today. Remember that, if you pay attention, He will “…instruct you and teach you in the way which you should go…” (Ps. 32:8, NASB). We just have to pay attention. Once you let go of your own plans you will be amazed by the things God has planned out instead.
He has sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound - Isaiah 61:1 (NKJV)
I’ve met people over the years that have been damaged by a fallen world. Damaged by those who were damaged themselves. They are the walking wounded that have held years of secrets manifested in anger, tears, addictions, relationships, and scars on their arms. For these people life stops at that one moment – the moment they were damaged.
According to the National Domestic Violence Hotline, on average, 24 people per minute are victims of rape, physical violence, or stalking by an intimate partner in the Unites States. According to Safe Horizon, that fights against violence, 1 in 10 children suffer from child maltreatment, 1 in 16 suffer from sexual abuse, and nearly 1 in 10 children are witnesses to family violence. Safe Voices, that works to end domestic violence reports 1 in 4 teenage girls in a relationship (26%) endure repeated verbal abuse. Additionally, a study done at Women’s College Hospital in 1995 reported that in 1,000 women 15 years of age or older, 36% had experienced emotional abuse while growing up, 43% had experienced some form of abuse as children or adolescents, and 39% reported experiencing emotional abuse in a relationship in the past five years. According to The Covering House who helps girls who have been trafficked or exploited, 300,000 children are being at risk of being prostituted in the United States while the average age of the girl who is prostituted ranges from 13-14 years old.
The National Child Abuse Statistics stated that in 2007, there were over three million reported cases of child abuse in the U.S. involving as many as six million children. Additionally, The Domestic Violence Resource Center estimates the number of incidents of domestic violence range from just under a million to several million per year. It is also estimated that 70 percent of people know of friends or family who have been abused.
I can’t tell you how many of these wounded people stay untreated and unhealed because of their shame and embarrassment. They are often the untouchables who keep you at arms length for fear of rejection or hurt. Others are bitter or cynical while some drown their hurt in various vices. Sadly others painfully suffer the pain of victimization through depression and fear.
I have met too many who experienced abuse:
·Sexually
·Emotionally
·Verbally
·Physically
Their stories are all different and so are their ages ranging from five years old to their eighties. They all have the same story – they have been damaged.
Although our society has tried to start a conversation on this issue, still many haven’t begun to engage in it. It has been silenced or buried in the recess of the heart and mind. It’s become a taboo. Something we are uncomfortable with. Something we don’t want to hear. Yet, the cries of the damaged are longing to be heard. Longing for someone to listen.
There is Someone. He understands their cry because He was damaged Himself.
His name is Jesus.
In the Bible, the books of Psalms, Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John all tell us of the agony Jesus would experience as a victim of abuse. Years ago He who was innocent was accused of blasphemy. Taken away from loved ones. Beaten and mocked. Spit upon. Flogged. Crowned with thorns. Stripped of His clothing and dignity and nailed to a cross with notorious criminals. He suffered an excruciating, humiliating death where He hung naked. Where he suffocated and died.
Jesus can identify with the damaged. Isaiah 53 talks openly about Christ’s suffering calling Him in verse three “A Man of sorrows and acquainted with grief” and then in verse 4 Someone who has “borne our griefs and carried our sorrows.” Jesus understands the damaged.
Ever since the first man and women (Adam and Eve) choose to take their own path away from God, the world has become fallen. Sin entered the world and God’s heart broke as He saw man abusing his freewill by choosing to commit dark, heinous, acts - acts that He never condoned or had in His plan for humanity.
Jesus loved the damaged so much that He became our remedy. Developing a plan from the beginning of time, God revealed His concern and solution to the problem in Isaiah 61 and proclaimed it Himself in Luke 4:16-22 . He would become our Savior.
God’s promised in Isaiah 61:
·Healing for the brokenhearted
·Liberty for captives
·Freedom for those who are bound
·Comfort for all who mourn
·Beauty for ashes
·Mourning for joy
·Heaviness for praise
These promises are salve on the wounds of the damaged. Jesus understands and wants to heal. He can do this because He not only went to the cross to forgive and bring us into a relationship with Himself but He also rose to be a living God who saves hurting humanity and gives hope.
Isaiah 61 is the gentle offer of help from Jesus to those who have been damaged. When trust is shattered and you are broken, Jesus Christ is a safe place. Psalm 32:7 states this saying, “You are my hiding place; You shall preserve me from trouble; You shall surround me with songs of deliverance.”
Jesus wants the damaged to know that they are not alone. God’s Word (the Bible) doesn’t shy away from the truth. In fact, the Bible paints the world as it showing real people who experienced real issues like abuse. Take Joseph whose story is written in Genesis 37:18-28. A victim of his jealous brothers who were conspiring to kill him, Joseph was stripped of his clothing, thrown in an empty pit without water, and then sold Joseph into slavery. Then there was Tamar, who was innocently tricked and raped by her half brother Amnon (2 Samuel 13:1-22). Yet, Jesus didn’t just address the issue, but also provided hope for the damaged. In Zephaniah 3:5, God advocated for those who were abused saying, “The Lord is righteous in her midst, He will do no unrighteousness. Every morning He brings His justice to light; He never fails, but the unjust knows no shame.” Although people will fail, God will always be good, always fight for what’s right, and never fail us.
Additionally, God is calling for us to look like Himself. God often uses people to be safe place for those who are hurting. Listening ears. A place to confide. A shoulder to cry on. Someone who cares. Maybe Isaiah 61 is also for us.
For the damaged there is deliverance. There is healing - It’s found in Jesus Christ; Savior, Healer, and Safe Place.
