I've Got Nothing

I have searched and searched for verses that would give me answers to make some sense of the unimaginable act of evil that occurred  to the defenseless, but....

I've got nothing.

I tried to come up with some profound and heartfelt words of encouragement for school staff and parents as we started Monday  morning after a weekend of seeing the faces of the young Conneticut shooting victims whose families won't get to see them open their Christmas presents, but...

I've got nothing.

I find myself angry that the church would talk about anything other than the depravity of man and need for a Savior.  Angry that there is so much evil around us.  Angry that I can't just hold onto my kids forever and never let them out of my sight, but I go to work and look down at my hands...

I've got nothing.

So, I just sit down and mourn with those who mourn and find quiet time to get alone with God and talk to Him, but the words won't come...    

I've got nothing.

I don't know much.  I have few answers.  But could it be the journey is not about finding all the answers? It is simply about one answer.... Jesus. In all the  suffering and questions and doubt, He is right there. Either everything that God has ever said is the absolute truth or it's a lie. I choose to believe the truth of the Gospel. Jesus lived the life I couldn't live, died the death that I deserved and rose agin to give me life.

So we go on. We put one foot in front of the other and just breathe. The body of Christ...we hurt....we are broken...we ask for mercy...we offer truth and grace...we believe yet we cry out to God to help our unbelief...we encourage each other to stand in our faith and even more as the day approaches...we anticipate the coming of Christ and long to see His face...we call evil for what it is knowing that evil does not get the last word...we mourn with those who mourn and we grieve but not as those who have no hope. We have hope in heaven, in the cross, in Christ, the Light that can shine in the darkest of places.  The battle  has already been won. Jesus conquered the grave and one day,  "God will wipe every tear from our eyes, there will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the previous things will pass away." (Rev 21:4) God is good. He is faithful. I've got nothing but God and God is enough. 

I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. 

In the world you will have tribulation. 

But take heart; I have overcome the world. John 16:33