Finding Joy

Storms. We are well acquainted with them down South, and they can be terrifying. Whether you are faced with a physical or metaphysical storm, they are inescapable and unpreventable. However dismal storms may be, how you respond to them is what truly matters.

The illustration shared in this post was drawn when I was in the midst of an internally bitter and dark storm. It was such an awful time that one night, all I could do was sit there and stare at a blank page in one of my sketchpads, not knowing how to voice my hurt and pain to God. All I wanted was to talk to Him and tell Him how much I hurt, but no words escaped my mouth, no thoughts compiled in my head, and my heart seemed devoid of emotion.

I have heard several times in my life the message of Romans 8:26-27 stating this:

26 “In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. 27 And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.”

That night, the words the Apostle Paul wrote centuries ago materialized as I believe the Holy Spirit guided my hand and led me to draw “Finding Joy.” I’ve always been able to draw based on what I feel, but that night when I could not seem to feel anything, God showed me where to find the light at the end of the tunnel in such a way that it was almost as if he was saying “It’s going to be ok.”

Throughout the rest of that trying time, I was able to audibly worship and cry out to God. Worship can take many forms like drawing, singing, dancing, writing and anything else that allows you to outpour your adoration. In my case, I worship best by playing the piano, and drawing. I have a hard time finding the words to express what I’d like to say to God and I’m convinced He knew that long before I was born and gave me the gift of the piano to be able to “talk” to Him in a different way.

God is omniscient like that and knows us far better than we know ourselves. Even when times seem impossible and uncertain, God has not abandoned you or me and never will. It is hard to worship when you do not know what to say or do. It is hard to worship when no one around you is worshiping. It is hard to worship when you do not understand what God could possibly be doing in your life.

But God.

But God is all powerful, all knowing, all wise, and all loving. He has provided a direct line of communication with Him when the veil was torn in the temple as we just observed in Good Friday and Easter Sunday. He has provided us with so many different avenues to worship him through like music, spoken word, art, and much more.

Most importantly, when it seems like the last thing you could possibly do is worship in the midst of a storm, God knows the innerworkings of your heart and the Holy Spirit will intercede for you. So, while the rest of the world is in chaos and despair when circumstances beyond our control disrupt our way of life, take a moment and connect with God in a way you know he has provided just for you. Taking just a moment a day to reflect on the goodness of God and worship Him in thankfulness for what is good, and right, and true can make a difference in how you view the world and what is going on in it.

As much love as God has for us, let us return as much of it as we can daily in a personal act of worship.

*This blog was written by Emma Holm. Emma is a sophomore at South Alabama studying Computer Information Systems.* 

Peace of the Holy Spirit in Turbulent Times

When we hear of the word “peace” we normally have a preconceived idea of what that looks like. To some people peace may look like a picturesque summer day on the beach, a silent library, or a room full of puppies and other stress relievers. Fortunately, all these ideas of what peace is and should be fall tremendously short of the Biblical peace that Jesus speaks of.

“Peace I leave with you; My peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” John 14:27 NIV

Many of us, including myself, are tempted to think that peace is for the most part an external condition that eventually leads to the internal condition of peace. Christ’s peace stands in direct opposition to this notion. He claims boldly that all peace comes from Him. He takes direct ownership as the origin of this peace. Not only does He take ownership of peacefulness, but He gives it to you as a gift, freely purchased by His blood on the Cross. The gift of this peace, He says, is not “as the world gives.” The world gives peace through a transaction of you do this, you go to this place, or you think this and then you will find peace. Except, there is nothing you can do to attain peace. There is no meadow too calm for a restless soul, there is no mindfulness class that can take away the fear, pain and confusion inflicted by the world. Christ is the only source and sustainer of peace that is like nothing of this world.

The Bible is full to the brim with times and situations that were tumultuous. Many prophets and righteous people were killed and persecuted. For instance, when David hid himself in the cave of Adullam while Saul and his armies were looking to kill him. He was in a place of total desolation, nevertheless, with a trembling voice he sang with all his heart:

          “When my spirit grows faint within me, it is you who watch over my way.” Psalm 142:3a NIV

As I would love to relive the sufferings of the righteous throughout the Bible, I would like to point your attention to one moment that I believe was one of the most fearful times for one of Jesus’ apostles, Thomas.

Christ’s lifeless body was hanging on the cross while all His Apostles besides John were absent in fear of their lives. Christ’s Eternal Kingdom seemed like a broken disarray of fanatics and hopefuls soon to dissolve like previous religiously zealous sects had done. It seemed like there was no hope and the future for the Apostles looked very similar to their Crucified Lord. There was no peace in this Kingdom established by the Man of Peace.

Amidst this, Thomas fell into severe lack of faith. His heart had been drained of any hope left and everything looked bleak. The Messiah who had called him, the fulfillment of Israel’s hope, now lay dead in a tomb. Those hands that he had seen heal the sick were now pierced and soaked with blood. This was the Jesus of whom Thomas had said “Let us also go, that we may die with Him.” (John 11:16) in complete boldness to follow Christ wherever He went, including the grave. Now Thomas was conquered by the fear of death, overcome with regret, emptied of hope, and faced with the greatest doubt of his life. Those words of peace he heard guaranteed by Christ seemed distant and challenged by everything he was experiencing. He let go of that free gift of peace.

Now listen carefully to Christ’s Inauguration of His Resurrection to Thomas and his crumbling world:

“A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.” John 20:26-27 NIV

            Christ reinstituted His peace in Thomas’ life by appearing to him and declaring His peace over him. He then invited Thomas to experience the reality of His existence by allowing him to touch Peace itself. He turned Thomas’ eyes away from the confusing, fearful world and demanded that everything that causes despair, fear, and hopelessness must bow to Christ. That invitation to experience His peace still stands today. We too might respond like Thomas when we choose to look to the eternal reality of Christ’s Peace: “My Lord and my God!” John 20:28

*This blog was written by Tucker McDonald, a junior at South Alabama majoring in Business.*