the mess of Us

I had a conversation with a dear friend today. After a long time of our busy schedules keeping us apart, we coincidentally ended up in the same place. Soon after catching up, we talked about life. He went on to tell me about a friend who took his own life and how devastating it was to receive such news. Conversations like these should be life-altering. Heck, if this doesn't wake you up I don't know what will.

We live in such a broken world where people everywhere are hurting.

In some way or another, people are hurting (to a certain extent). That is the truth. In a world, as broken as ours - as war wages on, as mass shootings break out, as social crimes increase; amidst the severe poverty (even in your own town! don't be surprised), it is no wonder how depression and anxiety become a natural response. The need to thrive and survive becomes a mandate. Yet, many respond by putting up masks behind; looking perfect on social media, smiling all the time, or shutting down and becoming indifferent. Indifference. We become so immune to bad news every day. Natural disasters that once shocked the world, becomes merely a headline in today's news. Frankly, just thinking about Hurricane Harvey frightened me a little. While yes, the disasters and lives lost are scary, what scared me more was how quickly we forgot. Just another example of society's indifference. So we find a society as a whole, evolving into people that have to learn to filter and navigate the disastrous world. I can't say much about this, I do not have a psychology background, nor am I fluent in my writing. But I can say one thing. Whatever their own coping mechanism is, it should never lead them to decide on taking their own life.

We are created for a greater purpose.

As temporary citizens of the planet we inhabit, we ought to know that we were created for so much more than all that earth has to offer. The world will fail you, again, and again, and again. It will always fail you. We think that we are evolving to be better human beings, yet we are unable to protect our kids from being safe in school! How crazy is that? How crazy it is that these are constant reminders of our true purpose - our eternal life. So one may think, what is my purpose on earth then?

We were created for eternity. Period.

Here is where I lose half of you - those who do not believe in a Creator. I hate to break it to you, but all evidence points back to one. In fact, I can list some renown intellects who have tried to prove that God does not exist.* You find them living the rest of their lives fully in pursuit of Jesus. Not trying to spark a theological debate, but in the simplest sense, Jesus wants eternity. To be specific, Jesus wants eternity with you. I shuffled onto Cory Asbury's explanation of his song Reckless Love. I was wrecked beyond measure. How fortunate one can be that through the lowest valleys, and the highest mountains, one will never journey alone. To know the faith that even when the world gives up on you and you hate yourself, Jesus still loves you beyond measure. To know that when everyone around you disappoints, you have a greater hope.

You have someone who will never give up on you. Ever.

So promise me next time when things get rough or no matter how many times you 'mess up' and you think that there is nothing you can do. You entertain the thought of death, it is better than just living a mess right? Well, sorry to break it to you. Everyone believes the same lie of 'messing up', or 'not being good enough'. You, me, the person next to you, and that person next to him. Life is not a joyride, and that is what makes it fun! Yet, it is up to you to decide (every day and in every moment) to choose what you believe.There is always something you can do, and someone who will always love you beyond conditions. This love was paid the highest price, and this love will never leave nor forsake you.





*Lee Strobel, C.S. Lewis, John Maxwell, Ernest Becker just to name a few.