March 2, 2009

By Vonda Skelton

Posted in: Ramblings | Christian Living | Writing Instruction | Jesus

It's a Wonderful LIfe?

(This is a picture of my mother, my sister, Laura, and my sister, Gail, taken at my mother's 75th birthday party.)

Do you remember the old hymn that includes a line about being happy all day long? The idea is that once we've accepted the Lord as our Savior, our lives will always be happy. And even though I understand the writer's intent, those words may be sending the wrong message. In our zeal to lead others to Christ, we sometimes inadvertently spread a lie--a lie that says the Christian life is always wonderful.

Are we telling the truth when we tell others about Jesus? Are we presenting Him as a mystical guru in the sky who waves his magic wand and makes everything okay? Are we like the false teachers who promise wealth, health, and happiness at the low, low price of a monthly donation?

If so, we're spreading a lie. Jesus never said the Christian life would be wonderful. As a matter of fact, He said the exact opposite. He said we would have trouble in this world (John 16:33). He said the world hated Him, and it would hate us (John 15:18-19). He said to count the cost, because the cost would be high (Luke 14:28-30).

Reality is, good mothers don't always have good children. Husbands leave. Illness comes. The sickness, the betrayals, the rebellion, the failures--they all were born that day in the garden when Satan seduced Eve. Sin entered the world through the door of the Deceiver and we've been suffering the consequences ever since.

But that doesn't mean the Christian life doesn't work. It simply means we can't depend on this world for our happiness. Our satisfaction can only come in knowing Jesus. It can only come in knowing we have a future that overcomes the pain of the past . . . because He has a past that overcomes the pain of the future!

Mary, the mother of Jesus, knew what it meant to suffer. As a pregnant, unmarried teenager, she could have been stoned to death. And even though Joseph took her as his wife, the townspeople still knew. They could count the months. And I'm sure they did. Whispered accusations. Judging eyes. How hard that must have been for this virgin woman-child who simply wanted to please God and submit to His plan for her life.

But that was only the beginning. On the day Mary and Joseph presented Jesus at the temple, a man named Simeon blessed them and then told Mary that her Son would "cause the falling and rising of many in Israel . . . And a sword will pierce your own soul, too." Luke 2:34-35. He told Mary she was going to suffer.

And she did.

She knew how it felt to lose a twelve-year-old child for three days (Luke 2:41-50) and to be ignored by her Son (Mark 3:31-35). Her other children rejected Jesus (John 7:5) and she was apparently widowed at a young age.

But the worst anguish of all was watching Jesus suffer at the hands of those He came to save. Not only was her innocent Son being put to death, but a guilty murderer was going free in His place!

Oh, how Mary's heart must have broken when she saw Him hanging on that cross! At that moment--in the midst of His suffering--what did she see? Did her mind replay His childhood? Did she see the mischievous smile of her little boy? Did she hear His giggles and feel His hugs and smell His sweaty hair?

Or did she see the blood of the Sacrifice, willingly given for her own sin, and the sin of the world?

Regardless of what she saw at that moment, I can assure you of one thing--Mary was not happy.

But Mary had hope, because she could look back and remember the day He spoke to her. The day she answered with, "I am the Lord's servant. May it be to me as you have said." Luke 1:38. She could look back at the day her suffering was foretold, and know God had a plan.

There's comfort in knowing that regardless what happens, He has a plan. His plan includes me, and it includes you. He doesn't tell us life will be wonderful, but He does tell us life will be worthwhile, that He can use us in the midst of our suffering.

Yes, we may be hard pressed on every side with struggles and trials. We may be perplexed and asking, "Why is this happening to me?" We may be persecuted, or even struck down. But praise God, we are not crushed! We're not in despair! And we will never be abandoned or destroyed! (See 2 Corinthians 4:8-9)

His Word tells us that when we join His family through the gift of salvation, we can look forward to spending eternity with Him. Oh, what a joy that will be!

No more bloating! No more cramps! No more pinto beans five nights a week!

No more cancer. No more SIDS. No more adultery. No more anger or abuse or fear.

No more death. 

Oh, dear ones, we have a blessed home waiting for us. A home where our loving Daddy is in control, where sin has no power, and Satan has no presence.

Yes, the truth is, it will be a wonderful life.

But it won't be here, and it won't be now. Our wonderful life awaits us . . . on the other side of the struggles . . . on the other side of the pain. 

My sister, Gail Skinner Phillips, knew what it meant to suffer. She knew the struggles of this life. But now she's living on the other side of the pain. Last Thursday, February 26, 2009, Gail went home to her Savior, Jesus Christ. And regardless of her hardships on this earth, she now knows the truth...that God had a plan all along.

And that's the news we need to spread. The Good News of salvation. The Truth of Jesus. The promise of eternal life.

Thank you for your prayers, calls, and notes. We were both encouraged by your love.

I hope you'll join me as we look forward to eternity on the other side.

(Burning sky photo courtesy of www.ChristianPhotos.net)

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Congratulations to...
Cindy Rooy! Cindy is the winner of Dianne Neal Matthews' book, The One Year Women of the Bible. Cindy, be sure to contact me with your mailing address so Dianne can get this book right out to you!

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Have you been published or received a contract or signed with an agent?
Then I need to hear from you! Next Tuesday is our Kudos day and we want to celebrate with you! Please email me with your good news, including your name, the state you live in, your good news (including date or issue), and a link or jpg cover file, if applicable. Your success will be an encouragement to us all!
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I leave you with these words from the Apostle Paul in his letter to Timothy:

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day-and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing. 2 Timothy 4:7-8

I pray God's blessing on the work of your hands and your hearts,
Vonda    

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9 Comments

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#1 Marietta Taylor — http://www.marismorningroom.blogspot.com

Vonda:

While I am sorry to hear about your sister, I am so encouraged by your words here. I did so need to hear them today. I just know your sister would love they way you are using the circumstances of her life and death to minister to others. Thank you for all you do! God's blessings on you!!

#2 Vonda Skelton

Thank you for your kind words, Mari. What an encouragement to know that God never wastes any hurts. This is one hurt I never want to go to waste.

Blessings, my friend...

Vonda

#3 Angela Brown

Vonda,
Thank you for sharing the truth of life in Christ Jesus. Thank you for sharing your own suffering and your own revelations of God's abounding love and grace in the midst of it. I pray His great comfort will surround you all and strengthen you to multiply your faithful witness. You are loved and appreciated more than you know.

#4 Jean Hall — http://www.jeanmatthewhall.blogspot.com

I'm truly sorry for your sadness and pain, Vonda. I pray the Lord will comfort you and your Mom and sister.

You've written a beautiful tribute to Gail here. Tender. That's one thing experiencing the pain of saying /Good-bye until THEN,/ does for us. It tenderizes us and reveals to us how fragile, how delicate our lives are.

May God's grace bring you courage and His peace bring you rest.

Jean

#5 Christina Arthur

I am so sorry to hear your sister, Gail,passed from this life but is now with the Saviour. It's so sad to lose a loved one but we know that we know we will see them again one fine day. God bless to you and your family. Love Chris

#6 Renae — http://www.renaebrumbaugh.com

Vonda, I'm so sorry for you and your family, yet happy you will all see her again. She's healed now, isn't she?

Praying for you all. Love you.

#7 Vonda Skelton

Thank you all for your kind comments. It's been a hard journey, but we know it's not the end. The next time I see her, she'll be well, happy, and totally clean! I can't wait to be just like her!

Love to all,

Vonda 

#8 Cheryl Childers — http://www.hand-made-hugs.com

Vonda, I just read this!! I had no idea. I am so sorry and yet I rejoice knowing she is now perfect in all ways, and completely healed. I will be praying for you!

#9 Aileen Mitchell Lawrimore — http://www.aileenonline.com/b2

Vonda,
These are beautiful words. Thank you for the encouragement--even in the midst of your own loss. I can't imagine waking up and knowing my sister was not a phone call away. Surely your loss is palpable. In the words of my sweet Grandmama, What in the world do folks do who don't have Jesus? They surely don't have the hope to get them through times like these, that's for sure. Peace friend! And thanks, Aileen

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