by Vicki

A couple of years ago I went through a very hard time. Things I had thought were truths were revealed to be lies. Supports I thought I had, disappeared. Control I craved, was taken away. All coping strategies I had learned in my 20+ years of life, failed.

I felt lost. I felt broken. I felt betrayed. I felt alone. And I felt angry….at God.

It was a dark time. A dark time that was no worse or better than the dark times that every person has faced, is facing, or is going to face. But it was my dark time. And it was hard.

During that time I struggled with understanding where God was in all of the pain. Someone (a dear someone) told me it was okay to question God about my pain, my struggles, my disappointments. They told me that I could go to Him and tell Him that I was upset and angry. They told me it was okay to tell God all of my feelings, not just the good ones. So I did. I told Him. Repeatedly. In anger and in sorrow. And through His word, a devotional I was reading, and some words from those around me, He answered.

I was broken in order that My God could be revealed to me. I was brought low so I could learn to trust and hope in Him.

Mark just introduced me to Ghost Ship. They are a Christian band that I have fallen in love with. One of their songs reminded me of that time of questioning and of learning to trust and hope in the God who holds the heavens and earth in His hands. If I’m being honest, I am still learning to do this and probably will be for the rest of my life. But the song was a happy reminder of who our God is, what He is capable of, that He is holding each of us in His hands and that (even in our darkest times) He never lets go.

The song is called Orion. Click on the link to take a listen. The lyrics are below.  I also love their songs called ‘Lion Man’, ‘Where Were You’, ‘Mediator’…really all of them!

‘Orion’ by Ghost Ship

I asked God, “What have You done?
Everything I love is gone.
Why must I endure this pain,
won’t You come and save me?

Tell me are You listening,
do You hear my shouted pleas?
Will You answer me this day,
won’t You come and save me?”

I was answered by my Lord,
“Can You bind Orion’s form
or guide his path?”
I looked up and answered, “No,
but You can, so I will hold
in Your strong hands.”

The hands that own the stars above,
will never let me go.
The one who holds the heavens up,
in Him I put my hope.

Yeah, who am I that You should love,
and bind in Your embrace?
Well, God is this who holds the stars
and guides me in His grace

I look at the deep dark sky,
mighty throne of the Most High.
I’m aware of my true place,
won’t You come and save me?

Still I know that You are near,
speaking comfort in my ear.
God, I long to see Your face,
won’t You come and save me?

I was answered by my Lord,
“Can You bind Orion’s form
or guide his path?”
I looked up and answered, “No,
but You can, so I will hold
in Your strong hands.”

The hands that own the stars above,
will never let me go.
The one who holds the heavens up,
in Him I put my hope.

Yeah, who am I that You should love,
and bind in Your embrace.
Well, God is this who holds the stars
and guides me in His grace

You bind me to Your ways
and guide me in Your grace.

You never let me go,
the grip of God will hold.

(taken from http://www.songlyrics.com/ghost-ship/orion-lyrics/)

by Kara

“But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Saviour appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Saviour so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.” (Titus 3:4-7, ESV)

This afternoon, I had the privilege of listening to a sermon delivered by one of the most joyful seminary students I have ever seen. His demeanor in his greeting, singing, and preaching all pointed to an overflow of thankfulness to his Saviour. It was an amazing attitude to witness, and it was contagious.

If I’m honest, I often bury or even lose the complete joy there is to be found in Jesus. I forget the greatest gift, and focus on the earthly fears and concerns. I grow tired, I focus on me, and I no longer feel joy, but in its place, there is a deep, gaping hole.

The message this student brought was more important than his attitude, but his attitude made it all the more applicable. He preached on humility, good works, and, without necessarily saying the word, joy.

In Titus 3, we find Paul’s reminder that Christians must be ‘ready for every good work’. We are to be loving, peaceful, and courteous. But Paul does not simply give a command, he gives a reason.

He tells of how we were once foolish, disobedient, slaves to our passions, and hateful. We were undeserving of love. Then verse 4 begins with a beautiful ‘But’.

“But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Saviour…”.

God saved us, from ourselves, out of Grace. Beautiful, wonderful Grace. And in that we have joy.

Good works are not cumbersome. Being courteous is not a constant biting of the tongue. It is an overflow of thankfulness.

Do Good.

Because you were lost.

But now you are found.

My heart filled with joy as I heard this reminder. I hope yours does as well. May you go forward this week in the Joy of Jesus.