My wife and I just celebrated our wedding anniversary, Veteran’s Day, and my granddaughters’ birthday and mine with our family. Friends and loved ones from around the world joined in with congratulations and blessings. With all that has been going on, we need a time to reflect on GOD’s goodness and do a little celebrating.
You see our home Church is just down the Highway from the Sutherland Springs Baptist Church. That unimaginable tragedy happened last week (2017), and they have only begun to bury those who perished. The wounded remain in the hospital. That happened while we were still in disbelief that our neighbor was killed by a drug-crazed burglar in his own home. Even with all that going on in our community, we have many reasons to celebrate.
Houston is only a few hours away from our home. Their destruction is no longer in the news, but too many people don’t know if they will ever get back to “normal” after Harvey disrupted their lives. Similar stories are playing out in Florida and even more so in Puerto Rico. I know it seems dark right now to those people who have lost so much, but they also have good reasons to celebrate.
We are all too familiar with many of the places that were destroyed by the earthquake in Mexico. Our hearts go out to the people who were already struggling and now must deal with more death and destruction. Facing daunting challenges, they need to celebrate even more.
Even in the fire-ravaged areas of California, where the fire took away possessions and many lives, they still have plenty of reasons to celebrate. It may be some time before their loss and grief is replaced by joy, but the underlying reasons are still there.
I am truly thankful my family is here with me, but that isn’t the main reason for celebrating. I am also grateful that our home wasn’t destroyed by water, wind, earthquake, or fire but that is not the reason for this festive occasion. I want to celebrate that “God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16 KJV). No matter what happens during this temporary life, I can look forward to “everlasting life” and so can everyone who believes in JESUS! While we remain here, we can trust in “him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think” (Eph 3:20 KJV). “Everlasting life” and “above all we can ask or think” from GOD who “so loved” us, Heaven sacrificed His son. We have a lot to celebrate! Only those who haven’t accepted JESUS have no reason to celebrate. They have good reasons to fear and tremble.
Wayne Lance (2017) – That’s Good News to Share!