Rocky roads

I was driving down a road the other day and I thought my car, (not to mention my body), would literally be torn apart as it banged through the rocky uneven road. There were more holes in the road than pavement and rocks were everywhere. Finally I was able to exit it and reach smooth pavement again. What a difference it made to have a smooth ride again.

On the way home from the airport last night, my wife and I were discussing some troubling things that had recently occurred in our company. She blurted out that perhaps we should just sell out. I looked at her and said, “Do you mean that just because we are experiencing some trouble that you think we should just give up?” I went on to say that we might as well quit life if that is going to be our philosophy, because we will always have rocky roads to cross in life followed by smooth roads. We cannot just quit every time we face some hardship, because there will be too much of it. In this world we will have tribulation. You know who said that? Jesus Christ, and that means we can take it to the bank. Logically it follows that we must find a way to deal with it in order to enjoy peace in this world. Christ is the answer.

Recently a young person that I know experienced losing a loved one; heretofore this person had never lost a loved one and the grief and sadness of it is quite naturally all the more intense and he is taking it very hard. I remember as a little boy the first time I experienced the death of a loved one and it was likewise intense. Since that day when I was a young boy I have seen more than my share of friends and relatives pass on. It is never easy and one never gets used to grief, but it is far easier now than that very first funeral that I attended. The older we get it seems the more we have to go through it. As an example when I was encouraging my father who is 86 to exercise recently, he laughingly said he gets his exercise from going to his friend’s funerals who he stated are dropping out like flies all around him. I suppose at that age experiencing death of friends and so forth becomes almost a weekly occurrence and we finally realize that death is just as much a part of life in this world as anything else.

I believe we have tribulation in life for a variety of reasons. One thing for sure, tribulation draws us closer to the Lord and we rely on Him to help get us through the dark days as never before. Do you remember how people flocked into churches all over America right after 911? Most have reverted back to their old ways in just a few short years. The thing about it is we should turn to Christ if the road is smooth or rocky because that is where peace comes from. If you are experiencing a rocky road in your life today, turn to Christ; He will give you peace. If you are on a smooth road turn to Christ and remember the rocky roads that you have experienced in order that you might fully appreciate the smooth ride you are currently enjoying courtesy of Jesus Christ.

John 16:33
These things I have spoken to
you, that in Me you may have
peace. In the world you will have
tribulation; but be of good cheer
I have overcome the world.