A Perfect Morning in an Imperfect World

I woke up this morning, and would you believe it? The sun was shining. I made the conjecture that everyone else in the world who woke up this morning witnessed the same thing.

I proceeded to get ready for my day, noting the fact that I was taking a warm shower and putting on clean clothes. I turned on my favorite Chris Tomlin CD, noting that I was in a house with electricity and proceeded to open my Bible, which someone so graciously translated into my language so I could have my own copy of the word of God. I found myself looking through the book of John, and happened to come across one of my long-time favorite verses, which is John 16:33.

It occurred to me as I read it that I had in fact had a perfect morning. Today is, in fact, my fifteenth birthday. I could hardly think of any tribulation I might currently be having. That, however, is when it occurred to me that not everyone could say the same. As of that moment, countless people were starving or cold or sick and dying. People were losing loved ones. So many people in so many places were hurting in some way. Even as I write this, I am aware of that fact.

The idea that kept coming to mind was the doctrine of common grace. I kept thinking about how, regardless of who you are or where you are, you got to see the sun shine today. You got to look outside at all of the beautiful things God made. Although it's true that not everyone had a great day today, I'm sure that anyone in the world could think of a situation that could be worse. Why is that?

I like to think of what my camp pastor this past summer, Matt Carter, had to say on the subject. He said,  "For those of you who are in Christ, this world is as close to hell as you're going to get."

That's the most exciting news I've ever heard! As believers, we have assurance that we're going to heaven someday, where we will be in the presence of God (Revelation 21:3). Nothing in the world can possibly do any real damage to us, because it is all temporary. Any tribulation in our lives is going to end sooner than we can imagine, and we will be in a place where everything is perfect because there is no sin.

In John 16:33, we are told that we are going to have tribulation. It's guaranteed in this world. The key there is that it will be in this world, but that Jesus has already overcome this world! He overcame sin and death, so that those who are in Christ will spend eternity not in this world, but in the New Earth in the presence of the one, true, living God. I think that's a really good reason to take heart.

The point of what Jesus is saying here is that we shouldn't focus on the struggles of this life. It goes back to Philippians 4:4. We should rejoice always because of the promises that God has made, knowing that he will keep them and that we are so incredibly blessed. As you go through the next few days (and the next few decades), keep in mind just how blessed you are. That way, when you wake up tomorrow and the sun is shining again, you can have one more thing on an endless list of things to be thankful for, God's grace being at the top. As you enjoy your holiday and as you go back to your 'normal life,' take heart in the fact that Jesus has overcome the world.

Happy Thanksgiving!

"I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world." --John 16:33