What/Who is Needed for all to be Well?

Being a Christian is a journey, a process. For many years of my journey I was lukewarm at best. My true hope was in things and people. My hope was in my family, marriage, a good job and a nice home. I grew up in the church, learning about the faith but I was mostly going through the motions, living for myself for many years. In 2018, Jesus did something that I cannot quite explain in words. The best way I can describe it is that Jesus cut me to the heart. Jesus revealed himself to me as real and a God who loves me personally. To this day I am forever changed. My desires and hope shifted toward God. I still struggle at times with hoping, trusting and submitting to Jesus Christ alone. I find myself thinking if this were only different or if this would happen, then all would be well. Yet, Jesus has been showing me areas where I need to surrender more to Him and hope in Christ, and Him alone.

So, I ask us today, what do we think we need for all to be well? Do we think all will be well when this virus fades away so we can get back to "normal" life again? Do we need something from our spouses for all to be well? How about our children? Do we need financial stability for all to be well? These are all good things to desire and pray about. However, what if some things work out but others don't? What if the virus only gets worse? What if our spouses die and our finances collapse before our eyes? What if our children refuse to speak to us again? So many things in life can go very differently than we planned. Yet, our only true, everlasting and secure hope is Jesus Christ. Loving Jesus Christ makes all things well. Only Jesus can change hearts. Only Jesus can satisfy our deepest longings. Only Jesus can answer our prayers. Only Jesus can give us the peace we need when our whole world seems to be falling apart. Jesus loves us (YOU)! Jesus Christ desires to show himself to us and be our all in all. No matter what we are going through, let's put our hope and security in Jesus Christ. Let's seek the God who satisfies our deepest hopes and longings. Jesus will meet us where we are. My prayer is that today we will more fully put our hope in the God of love who promises to comfort us and who never fails. Even when life is hard, God is good.

Scriptures:

"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope" (Romans 15:13 ESV).

"...having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints..." (Ephesians 1:18, ESV).

Prayer: Feel free to pray this alone with God or with a loved one. Add to this prayer to make it more personal as you feel led. Jesus loves to hear us as we pray sincere prayers!

Jesus, we know that we need a personal relationship with you for all to be well. While we have desires, we know that you alone are enough to satisfy all that we need. Please show me the areas where I need to surrender more to you. Show me instances where I have failed to place all of my trust and hope in you. Forgive me for falling short in these ways. Thank you for being a patient Heavenly Father who forgives His children. Thank you for your mercies being new every morning. Grant me peace as I walk in faith, knowing that because I am a child of God, all is well. AMEN.