As a Chaplain you visit many different people from various walks in life. The one thing they have in common is that they are all facing a difficult time in life. It might be an upcoming operation, or rehabilitation or for some it is their final steps in life as they face a terminal diagnosis. On one of these visits there lies a young woman, about 35 years of age, when she sees me, she becomes tearful. When I ask her what is behind the tears, she confides that seeing me, she is reminded of all the bad decisions she has made in life, and that she will never be able to enter heaven because of those bad decisions. She feels separated from God and unworthy to reach out to Him.
As we continued our conversation, I ask her if there was a
time she remembers when she felt close to God. She goes on with a smile
explaining a time in a church yard she was swinging with her sister and singing
songs to Jesus, and how amazingly safe and joyous it felt.
Is there a time we can remember when we were or are
especially close to God? Is there an emptiness in our hearts because we find
ourselves separated from God because our lives have not lived up to what we
think God expects?
As I explained to the young woman, Jesus came expressly to
close that separation, to reach out from the cross, to welcome us to see the
empty tomb, and to cure our unbelief as Jesus did to (doubting) Thomas when he
showed his nail scared hands and wounded side. Jesus loves us, and gives us
forgiveness for our confessed sins, and welcomes us into the safety of his arms
and blessed assurance of an eternal home with Him in heaven.
During this difficult Easter time, when the news of the day
brings in loneliness and fear, go back to that time when you felt closeness to
God, allow Him to enter back into your heart, take
His hand and fear no evil only His love. Accept the joy of Easter morning, for
He has risen he has risen indeed.
Father in heaven, help all of us to look to you for strength
and assurance of your love for each of us. Grant all those that support our
communities, the medical staffs, first responders, police and spiritual
comforters your protection from illness and harm. Remove any doubts we have in
your sacrifice for us on the cross and your rising again. Bring us peace and
strength during these difficult times. We pray in the name of the Father, the
Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
