This week the sermon at my church was on Mark 10:46-52. In this passage, Jesus heals a blind man. The main point was this: Jesus was the answer to this man's problem, and He is the answer to our problems.
So, I got to thinking.... sometimes the things that I think are my problems, really aren't problems at all. There may be things in my life that I would give my right arm to change - and they aren't going to change. In my all-too-often narrow view of things, this makes them a problem. And while it's true that there might be uncomfortable, painful facts about my life -that doesn't mean they're a problem.
The truth is, I really only have one problem. And it's a big one. It's one I can't solve. The problem is this: I am a sinner who will one day stand before a Holy God. This is one meeting that I can't cancel, and no amount of rationalization/explanation/justification on my part can take away the fact of my sin. I cannot solve this problem.
God knew that I couldn't solve this problem. He's known it from the beginning of time. That's why he sent The Answer. Jesus is what solves this problem for me. He washes me clean and makes me holy so that, when I do stand before the Father, I can stand with confidence that my sin is no more. Jesus solves the unsolvable problem. He answers the deepest need of my soul.
This is a truth that I find such freedom and comfort in. It's not about me and what I do, earn, or accomplish. I don't have to "try hard to do good". A couple of years ago, while having a "moment" and grasping my inadequacy of fixing myself, I grabbed some paper and a pen and starting writing:
"Every time I come to the end of myself, I find Jesus. And when I turn around and look back, I see that it was Him all along - He has always been woven through and is the cord that has never broken, even when all the other strands are frayed and cut. There is Jesus, holding it all together, loving me and bringing me along to the end of myself so that, finally, I can rest in the One who has already completed the work that I could never do.
It hurts to come to the end of myself - to feel my life being stretched and pulled so that strands are taught, and fray, and snap. The unraveling of my strength is painful. But eventually there comes the moment when I am thankful for it. I am thankful to know that I can't hold it together, because trying to was killing me. I don't have to hold on to the broken, twisted strands. I just have to hold on to Jesus. He never breaks, never frays. So, it hurts to come to the end of myself, but that's when I see my Savior and truly find my life."
Please understand that I am not trying to make light of the many horrific problems that occur in our world. I am not saying that the ONLY need we have is to have our sins forgiven and to enjoy a relationship with our Savior. What I am saying is that, when we understand how our biggest problem has been solved, our deepest need met, we are then free to serve others and meet the other needs that exist. When I am no longer motivated by guilt or obligation, I can truly be motivated by love to see the needs of those around me and demonstrate Christ's love by working to meet those needs.
What I am also saying is that, when I realize how my biggest problem is solved and my deepest need is met, the other things in my life that I might complain about as being "problems", don't seem so problematic anymore. They might still be painful, but who said pain is always a problem? Sometimes pain teaches me things that comfort could never show me. Sometimes pain gives me compassion and empathy for others. Sometimes pain chisels away my self-centeredness, making room for grace and mercy.
I am truly, literally, eternally grateful that God saw my need, reached down and met me where I was. And, I am grateful for the reminders that He is all I need.
Until next time, my friends..... live well.
Becky
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