The Beauty of Life: The Next Door of Opportunity
Sunshine peeps through your window on a brisk, wintry morning. A familiar ring tone sounds as you receive a call from a dear family member. You smile at the note on your counter, the date on your calendar, the face in your backseat. Life is full of beauty!
I sense beauty when I wake up in the morning, another chance to live another day. I witness God’s majesty in butterfly wings, shooting stars, and mountain ranges. I hear redemption stories, marvel at God’s work, and behold His faithful fulfillment of every promise. Life is indeed full of beauty!
Sadly, however, the most beautiful things in life can sometimes be the most trying, disheartening, and distressing. Maybe the sun doesn’t shine, the phone doesn’t ring, or the plan doesn’t happen. There’s an empty backseat, a new address, a damaged relationship.
Sometimes I am torn between life’s beauty and pain—two strong forces, seemingly opposing, yet often existing simultaneously.
Ecclesiastes 3 paints the scene. There is a time and season for every matter under heaven.
“A time to be born, and a time to die;
a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted;
a time to kill, and a time to heal;
a time to break down, and a time to build up;
a time to weep, and a time to laugh;
a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together;
a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
a time to seek, and a time to lose;
a time to keep, and a time to cast away;
a time to tear, and a time to sew;
a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
a time to love, and a time to hate;
a time for war, and a time for peace.”
– Verses 2-8
In the dark, hard, and sad times, God is no less present, able, and loving, than in the beaming, flourishing, and joyous seasons.
God’s Provision: We always have reason to rejoice! I loves the words of Psalm 63, steadfast and independent of any circumstance.
“O God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you;
my soul thirsts for you;
my flesh faints for you,
as in a dry and weary land where there is no water.
So I have looked upon you in the sanctuary,
beholding your power and glory.
Because your steadfast love is better than life,
my lips will praise you.
So I will bless you as long as I live;
in your name I will lift up my hands.”
– Verses 1-4
Word of the Week: Uphold. “My soul clings to you,” Psalm 63 continues, “Your right hand upholds me” (verse 8). The truth is, the “un-beauty” of life helps us appreciate the true beauty of God’s majestic, redemptive work.
May our eyes be open to the beauty around us in good times … and bad.
Abby
Dear Younger Me,
You are forgiven. The guilt that ravages your mind, body, and heart? You have the freedom to lay it down because Jesus took the weight off you when He died on the cross. He didn’t die for you to continue to live in guilt. You can rest in His peace and rejoice in Him for taking your burden from you, and you can trust Him. Your mistakes don’t make Him love you less or turn His face away. He invites you in with your brokenness, loves you in compassion, and covers you. Not only does He know all your mess-ups and mistakes, but He knows how to work it all out, too. He knows how this will all work for your good and for His glory. Let Jesus take you by the hand and walk with Him, forgiven and free.
Love,
Megan
Dear Younger Me,
Already and not yet…is the kingdom of God, and your freedom. Because of Jesus, you know that freedom from worry and anxiety are yours. And you might not experience that total freedom until you see God’s face because in your own humanity, you are prone to anxiety. It hurts and it’s hard that as much as you might try to recite verses about peace that relief doesn’t come in the way you want. But hold tight to the promise that victory is yours because of Jesus. Healing is yours. Clench His promise and His Truth, and know His joy as you cling. And some glorious day, you’re going to know what being carefree really looks like, a gift of His grace to you whether in this life or in Heaven. Hang on, sweet one, it’s coming.
Love,
Megan
Toddlers aspire to independence, insisting, “I want to do it by myself!” Years later, they ambitiously venture into the “real” world as teenagers. Adults also have their fair share of autonomy, whether we really want it or are forced to fly solo.
Learning to survive is one thing, but relying solely upon oneself is another. Left completely up to ourselves, we may not do so well. Supplies are limited, situations are complicated, and ability is finite. Some of us have wound up empty trying to get by on our own.
I myself can testify that working hard and striving after perfection, while partially beneficial, gain nothing of true meaning. In fact, it produces an array of unwanted emotions and circumstances that hinder rather than help.
I’ve proven it to myself and seen it play out in others’ lives. On our own, we don’t really get ourselves anywhere except right back where we started.
This is the hopeless state of humanity apart from the saving grace of God. Ephesians 2:12 reminds us: “You were at that time separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world.”
On our own, we were lost. But at the right time, Christ died for the ungodly (Romans 5:6).
“For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession who are zealous for good works.”
– Titus 2:11-14
Apart from Jesus Christ, we are nothing, have nothing, and can do nothing (John 1:3, 15:5, Romans 11:36).
In Christ, we are new, have everything, and can do all things (2 Corinthians 5:17, 2 Peter 1:3, Philippians 4:13).
The whole point of the gospel is that we could not, cannot, and never will be able to achieve favor with God on our own. From the beginning, God had made a way—the Way—to reconcile us to Him.
God’s Provision: In the Garden of Eden, the Father promised a Savior. In the Garden of Gethsemane, the Son submitted as the Savior.
“I will put enmity between you and the woman,and between your offspring and her offspring;He shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise His heel” … “But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons.
– Genesis 3:15, Galatians 4:4
Word of the Week: Adoption. Sinners, once lost on our own, now legally belong to God as sons and daughters, purchased by Jesus Christ Himself.
No longer on our own.
Abby
Dear Younger Me,
Those trophies won’t mean much someday. I know you want them, those physical reminders that you’re good at the sports you enjoy, something that could boost your self-esteem. But they’re not going to mean much later in life, when you’ve moved on from sports. Sure, it’ll always be cool to win an award, but that award isn’t everything. And you’ll certainly always appreciate the ones you did get. But one day you’ll clean out your room and that bookshelf where the trophies are, and you’ll put them in a box. And you’ll realize as you box them up that you forgot about what you won. And after you box them, you might not look at them but a handful of times after that. I think having a goal and something to work towards is a beautiful thing for you, but putting your stock in that trophy as something to define you is not a good thing. You are so much more than a trophy. And, I hope you’ll see someday that your favorite moments from sports were the ones that you don‘t get trophies for.
Love,
Megan
How ironic is it that we can be present without being present. I’m sure you know what I mean. It’s one thing to physically occupy space, but to be mentally engaged and emotionally involved is a whole different story.
I most often struggle to be present when something is on my mind, or I am surrounded by distractions. God, however, is perfectly present all the time.
He is omnipresent, being everywhere simultaneously. He not only claims the domain of heaven and earth, but fully immerses Himself in the activities of mankind and processes of nature. God is Creator and Sustainer. He pays attention, cares for, and interacts with His creatures.
It’s all over the Psalms:
He gives to the beasts their food,
and to the young ravens that cry.
– Psalm 147:9
The young lions roar for their prey,
seeking their food from God.
– Psalm 104:21
God’s tender, caregiving provision is one reason, among infinite, to praise Him!
You cause the grass to grow for the livestock and plants for man to cultivate, that he may bring forth food from the earth.
– Psalm 104:14
The eyes of all look to You, and You give them their food in due season. You open Your hand; You satisfy the desire of every living thing.
– Psalm 145:15-16
The Lord Himself says, “I know all the birds of the hills, and all that moves in the field is mine” (Psalm 50:11).
And so are we.
God’s Provision: Jesus assures us in Matthew 6:26, “Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?”
We are loved and cared for by the God of Creation! Never will He leave us empty or in need! David testifies, “I have been young, and now am old, yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken or his children begging for bread” (Psalm 37:25).
In fact, God is sovereign over all and faithful toward His saints.
The LORD looks down from heaven; He sees all the children of man; from where He sits enthroned He looks out on all the inhabitants of the earth, He who fashions the hearts of them all and observes all their deeds.
– Psalm 33:13-15
Most amazing of all, God sent His Son, Jesus.
Word of the Week: Emmanuel. God with us. Forever we will be changed because of the salvation He brings.
Abby
Dear Younger Me,
Move the Gospel forward and carry it to the next. Early in the book of Genesis in the Bible, it says, “At that time people began to call upon the name of the LORD.” Adam and Eve walked with God, and because of them, the succeeding generations would know God, too. And then you’ll hear a sermon someday about how Jesus’ resurrection radically changed His disciples’ lives, changing them from men who didn’t fully understand Jesus to men who gave their lives telling others about Him. They moved the Gospel forward to the next person and the next person, generation to generation. How beautiful that you get to receive the Word, because of those who faithfully and truthfully told others about the Truth that changed their lives. And you get to do the same. The enemy wants to stop you, and the Church, because he doesn’t want the Gospel preached. But I hope that you’ll fight for the Gospel and take up your armor, and you’ll stand to carry Jesus’ Good News to the next, because God’s salvation doesn’t end with you.
Love,
Megan
Perseverance seems to be a highly valued, yet seldom demonstrated quality in today’s society. Have you found that?
Athletes and amputees inspire us with determination and strength despite obstacles. Leaders and activists induce change via praiseworthy purpose and action. Their vision, drive, and consistency move us to respect them, recognize their efforts, and honor their achievements.
It is truly remarkable what man can accomplish … but humanity is still limited. We can only attain what God permits and decrees.
The Almighty allots periods and boundaries in history (Acts 17:26), each nation being like a drop from a bucket compared to His majestic power and wise counsel (Isaiah 40:15).
In Daniel’s words, “He changes times and seasons; He removes kings and sets up kings; He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding” (2:21).
When it comes to human and spiritual affairs alike, we are dependent upon the Lord.
The human heart has fallen so far into sin, we are pitifully helpless to recover ourselves.
“All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned—every one—to his own way” … “For although they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks to Him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened.”
– Isaiah 53:6, Romans 1:21
Praise the Lord, He rescues, redeems, and restores us through His Son, the spotless Lamb!
“But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God” … “But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved.”
– 1 Corinthians 6:11, Ephesians 2:4-5
Among all inspirational stories and success testimonies, no man can claim salvation. Salvation belongs to God alone, for which Christ will forever be exalted!
God’s Provision: Perseverance resurfaces—this time, not on our part, but God’s. Faith is His gift (Ephesians 2:8), sealed by the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 1:13) and preserved for the day of Christ (1 Corinthians 1:8).
“Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of His glory with great joy, to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen.”
– Jude 24-25
Word of the Week: Carry. God will gently and firmly guide us through life (Psalm 32:8), conform us to the image of His Son (Romans 8:29), and usher us into His eternal presence (John 14:2-3). The one who believes in Christ and trusts in Him has all his sins washed away (Psalm 32:1-2). We can profess with Paul in 2 Timothy 4:18,
“The Lord will rescue me from every evil deed and bring me safely into His heavenly kingdom. To Him be the glory forever and ever. Amen.”
Abby
Dear Younger Me,
Your hard work pays off, but that also means when you aren’t putting the work in, you’re going to feel it. You are a naturally hard worker, and you’ll experience those thrills of joy when you see that your work is truly paying off. But that hard work often means a sacrifice of time and energy that you sometimes don’t want to give up. In those times when you find yourself on the bench or you see the work of others bloom before you, remember the choices you made for yourself. And I hope you also remember that you can’t do everything and be everything, either. Sometimes your energy is going to other places and you won’t find yourself excelling in the area that you find yourself behind in. And sometimes, you’ll remember that if you do want to grow, that you have to make a choice to put your effort in a new area. And I hope that someday you’ll look back at those times you didn’t excel with appreciation, because they either reminded you of the importance of growing yourself, or they showed you that choosing not to go into overdrive was still a good choice.
Love,
Megan
You’re looking forward to going out with the girls this evening or meeting up with the guys this weekend. A close friend is expecting, your cousin is getting married next summer, and your children received good grades on their latest report card. There is always something to be excited about in the adventure of life!
Life sure can be exciting—and all the more when lived in obedience to God, awaiting the return of Christ!
I find great excitement each morning I wake up because I know God’s mercy is new (Lamentations 3:22-23) and He will fulfill His purpose for me (Psalm 138:8).
Jesus says in John 5, “My Father is working until now, and I am working” (verse 17). He is in accord with the Father. “For whatever the Father does, that the Son does likewise” (19).
I cannot fathom the work God does, but how I thank Him! Even in troubled times, like Habakkuk, His wisdom and sovereignty assure us.
“Look among the nations, and see; wonder and be astounded. For I am doing a work in your days that you would not believe if told.” – 1:5
In similar fashion, Isaiah tells of His marvelous deeds:
“When you did awesome things that we did not look for, You came down, the mountains quaked at Your presence. From of old no one has heard or perceived by the ear, no eye has seen a God besides You, who acts for those who wait for Him.” – 64:3-4
Asaph penned a psalm of His wonders. The fourth verse says,
“We will not hide them from their children, but tell to the coming generation the glorious deeds of the Lord, and His might, and the wonders that He has done.”
– Chapter 78
The pages of Scripture unveil God’s marvels and chronicle His faithfulness through the generations—His greatest work of all being salvation and sanctification in the lives of believers!
Psalm 98:1 declares, “Oh sing to the LORD a new song, for He has done marvelous things! His right hand and His holy arm have worked salvation for him.”
Paul reaffirms, “I am sure of this, that He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ” (Philippians 1:6).
God’s Provision: With that, we are preserved for the coming day, our “spirit and soul and body kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Thessalonians 5:23).
Word of the Week: Unfading. Peter describes our glorious inheritance in Christ as “imperishable, undefiled and unfading, kept in heaven for [us], who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time” (1 Peter 1:4-6).
God is always up to something exciting, whether we see it today, tomorrow, or at His return!
Abby
