The Hope of Our Future

As my first official "blog" I wanted to write something compelling.  Something that would grab your attention, so maybe you would visit again.  Then I realized that would be selfish motives and not the reason I am posting in the first place.  So, as I sat at my desk and studied Scripture, God lovingly brought my attention to the snow falling right outside my window.  If you're like me, you are sick of the snow now!  But as I examined in my mind each flake that fell, I began to get this overwhelming feeling of just how beautiful the snow really is.  No two are the same.  Can you imagine that!  No two flakes.  Do you know how many snow flakes fall?  That's incredible!  Each one is delicately created to the size, shape, and even the precise time it should fall.  Only God could design such beauty! 

Then my wheels began turning.  My husband would tell you, in the mornings my mind goes 200 miles an hour.  I just try to keep up with it.  By mid afternoon, don't ask me to do any heavy thinking.  There is nothing left!  Anyway, I began thinking about "The Biggest Loser" T.V. show.  Confession,Yes, I am a T.V. junkie. One of my favorite shows, "The Biggest Loser".  I am drawn to the personal stories of the contestants and the transformations they go through.  It is so inspiring!  But on this past Tuesday's episode one of the contestants, Arthur, who weighed over 600 lbs. at one time, when he began his journey had a breakthrough as he was speaking to one of the trainers.  The trainer asked him how he got in the shape he was in.  Arthur told him that he had lost hope.  He had played sports in High School with the possibility of playing football with a scholarship in college.  He began hanging with the wrong crowd and everything including possible scholarships slipped away.  He lost hope for everything.  He lost hope for life.  So he slowly began killing himself through the medication of food.  You might ask, "How do people get that way?  How do they lose hope in such a way that they get in that kind of condition?"   The same way a drug addict, alcoholic, or gambler or any other addiction someone uses to try and mask hopelessnes or pain.  They try to self medicate or self indulge in what feels good for the moment so they don't have to deal with the struggles or pain they are going through.   The trainer responded by telling Arthur that he would be there with him every step of the way.  Everytime Arthur turned a corner closer to his goal, he would be there with him celebrating.  Everytime he had a rough day, he would be there to encourage and spur him on.  He would never be alone on his journey.

So as I sat in awe and wonder of the snowflakes that God so lovingly created.  I began to think about us, His children.  We are all created with uniqueness.  God planned and thought carefully of how each one of us would look, who our families would be, when and where we would be born, he even knows the number of hairs we have on our head.  I get so overwhelmed when I think about that.  As much beauty as there is in a single snowflake that drops out of the sky, when it reaches the ground eventually melts away.  Think about how He must feel when one of His children is born into this world.  We are each given unique gifts.  He has a plan and purpose for each of us.  Jeremiah 29:11 says, "For I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper not to harm, plans to give you a hope and a future."  Wow! 

From reading God's Word, here is what I know to be true.  He loves us with an unconditional love.  He knows us inside and out.  He loves us for who we are.  In fact, He adores us so much he rejoices over us with singing (Zeph. 3:17).   Just as the trainer on "The Biggest Loser" commited to help Arthur and be there with him, I believe that God, who created us, who loves us unconditionally, is there for us through everything.  All of our trials and suffering.  All of our joys and celebrations.  All of our disappointments and feelings of hopelessness.  God is there walking us through the pain, encouraging us and spurring us on to our hope and future.  We don't have to self medicate or indulge ourselves in things that just mask our pain.  We can put all of our trust and all of our confidence in the One who rejoices over us.  The One who loves us unconditionally.  The One who is able to design something as beautiful as a snowflake, and chose us for His very own.

He tells us in His word, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you." Hebrews 13:5b  If you are going through a difficult time, maybe a health issue, maybe the loss of a loved one, maybe financial struggles, marital problems, maybe you just feel like there is no hope.  Put your trust in the only One that can help you.  Go to your Heavenly Father and lay your pain and struggle at His feet.  Ask Him to hold your hand and then watch as He gently takes your hand and so lovingly walks with you each step of the way.

If you are going through a difficult time and need counseling, please talk with your minister or contact me and I will get you information to a Christian Counselor or Minister in your area.  It is important to seek help from those that can lead you to a better understanding of a relationship with Jesus Christ, the true Healer.

His Humble Servant,

Angie Burkeen
Club 180 Ministry
503 Main Street
Cumberland, KY  40823
http://www.club180ministry.com/
http://www.estherscloset.org/