What do ya’ do when there’s just nothing left? Down so low that you feel totally defeated. No strength. No understanding. No control. Stripped of all you thought you had? Depleted and naked.
Twelve hours had passed and I held my still born baby girl in my arms. Born too early, tiny, barely weighing enough to put pressure on my arms, this baby was silent. I pressed my lips to her warm forehead and kissed her. Tears streamed down my cheeks. Her name was Grace. Staring at her features, cradling her head and uncurling her oh-so-small fingers, I said hello and goodbye in the same breath. The hopes I had for her were dashed; stripped of all I thought I had and frozen with lack of understanding…. I was certainly depleted. And yet, I had peace.
Years later, laying on an operating table awaiting a C-section, I was unconscious, yet aware that I was unable to breath. The anesthesiologist had shut down my system for intubation, but things went wrong and now I heard rushing and yelling all around me. I felt as if an elephant was on my chest. I could not speak yet my mind was able to think and comprehend. I knew if I did not get to breath soon I might die. Undeniably I had no strength. No control. And yet, I prayed.
And again, more years later, I found myself on a stretcher in such pain that I did not care if I lived or died. Ravished already from radiation therapy and chemotherapy and surgery, my body was beaten. My human-ness decided for a moment that I had had enough! Stripped again of understanding, control, and even of care, I began to give up. Defeat in its fullness settled in; depleted and naked with nothing left. And yet, I cried out in earnest, searching….
The peace; how did it come? The prayer; to who? The cry: searching for what?
The answer in all three cases was: Jesus.
Jesus is the giver of peace in circumstances where peace makes no sense; it comes as a gift from the Lord – just given (Philippians 4:7, John 14:27).
Jesus is the one who hears and answers prayers lifted up from depths of woe; He intercedes on our behalf (Romans 8: 27,34….thru 39 is all good).
Jesus was, and is, and always will be my only plea in my searching during moments of despair. Give me Jesus = give me HOPE. With hope, I can go on (Psalm 62:1 & 2…..5 & 6).
Jesus is the HOPE of this world. God gave Him to us in the form of a baby in the manger just as the angels proclaimed to the shepherds.
“But the angel said to them, Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger ” (Luke 2: 10 -12).
On a dark night, in a dim stable, Jesus entered the world. A gift to us from God above; His son given to us….to live and then die. And he will return for us (Acts 1: 10 -11). This is the HOPE; the invitation that one day we can be with Him in a place where there are no more tears, or pain. This is the “good news” and “great joy for all the people” that the Angels proclaimed.
So, what do ya’ do when there’s just nothing left? Down so low that you feel totally defeated. No strength. No understanding.No control. Stripped of all you thought you had? Depleted and naked.
I suggest you ponder this gift of Jesus; consider Him and all He is. Accept this gift of Jesus (John 3:16).
Pray and cry out! And know that in the darkest of moments Jesus comes. He comes with peace and comfort and hope. I speak from my own experiences and know.
This world is broken. We are broken. Jesus is the only fix.
Always a Song of Hope 