Monday, March 10, 2008

When It's Dark

My heart is going through an immense season of growth. I say this because I am convinced that just when it hurts the most (life, that is) it must mean I am simply growing in grace, and more like Jesus Christ. Whoever said it was fun?

Christianity is not about feeling better with yourself and it's certainly not a fast ticket to heaven. Christianity is not a dreamy, painless cruise through life. It's not about gaining the favor of a God who will give you the shortcuts through through the hard times, or a God who will see to it that you get the easiest road. It's not about being pain-free and as light as air.


I'll tell you what it is. It's hard. It's rough. It's grinding. It's full of pain. But that's the Christian walk. Rocky. Painful. Trying. No wonder when people in general have come to see Christianity as a glamorous way of life (by the way we advertise it, I might add) they are stumped and flabbergasted when they find out how hard it actually is. No, Christianity, period, is not easy. In fact, as long as Christianity remains on earth it will be the hardest religion to embrace. Even in America. That's unfortunate, but realistic, anyway. But let me give you a brighter picture.
Though the gospel of Jesus Christ is not about lovely sunrises and perfect sunsets, and though it is about hard climbs throughout life and the difficult understanding of His truths, the beauty of Christianity is summed up in few words. When it's hard, when it hurts, when it's dark, when you can't see, when you're holding onto the tiniest strand of hope - or when there's none to hold at all, He's right there, with you through it all. He never promised to give us sunny freeways, but if anything, He has promised rocky, rainy roads. But when it's hard, He speaks to us. When it hurts, He holds us. Though He doesn't banish the clouds away, He sits in the dark with us, holding our hand.


It's dark and I can't see, but He's still here. He can see far better than I can - even in the dark.


6 comments:

Cheri said...

That is beautiful, Sarah ... very encouraging! Thankyou for sharing that.

I LOVE the music! From where did you obtain it?

Sarah Byrum said...

Thanks, Cheri. :) The music & gadget player is from SONIFIC. You can choose your own music and put it on your blog for free at sonific.com (Sorry I can't link it!) Thanks again.

Leah Christine Imagery said...

That is so RIGHT ON, Sarah! Keep looking to Jesus. It's going to be worth it all when we get to glory someday! Remember, "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." We can have victory through Him!
.............................
"I heard an old, old story,
How a Savior came from glory,
How He gave His life on Calvary
To save a wretch like me;
I heard about His groaning,
Of His precious blood's atoning,
Then I repented of my sins
And won the victory.

Chorus
O victory in Jesus,
My Savior, forever.
He sought me and bought me
With His redeeming blood;
He loved me ere I knew Him
And all my love is due Him,
He plunged me to victory,
Beneath the cleansing flood.

I heard about His healing,
Of His cleansing pow'r revealing.
How He made the lame to walk again
And caused the blind to see;
And then I cried, "Dear Jesus,
Come and heal my broken spirit,"
And somehow Jesus came and bro't
To me the victory.

I heard about a mansion
He has built for me in glory.
And I heard about the streets of gold
Beyond the crystal sea;
About the angels singing,
And the old redemption story,
And some sweet day I'll sing up there
The song of victory!

Leah Christine Imagery said...

Oh and btw, I love your background music! (You Raise Me Up) :) Another song with encouraging words is "Dont Give Up, You are Loved" :)

Sarah Byrum said...

Leah! I love the words of that hymn. And I love the song "You Are Loved". I am VERY fond of the songs Josh Groban has written. :) Thank you!

Anonymous said...

Hi Sarah. I found you through the Rebelution forum-- my screen name is Lori Beth.

I just wanted to thank you so very, very much for this post. It really ministered to me, as I'm going through a very difficult time. This post encouraged me and brought me to tears. Thank you again, Sarah. May God shine through you always.

Bethany