Never to leave us alone

Why do some of us as Christians seem to feel miserable most of the time? Because once our attention is taken away from the Spiritual world and redirected to the natural world, nothing of the natural can fully compare to the Spiritual. Continuously we’re traveling both realms in our mind. And quite often, we do get jet-lags. Quite often, we do suffer withdrawal symptoms.

Other than water being turned into wine, or walking on water, or levitating to the heavens, nothing seems to be quite cool. Walking on water may have seemed so cool to Peter, a seasoned fisherman who apparently either did not know how to swim or felt overpowered by the waves, to the point that he felt drawn to ask Jesus to make him try it out himself. Healing is nice, but some of us would rather not get sick in the first place. Resurrection is a big deal, yet some of us would rather not have to go through death in order to experience resurrection, let alone painful death.

So, it’s quite understandable as to why Christians naturally feel miserable at times. We’ve tasted the sweet water, Christ Jesus, and then we naturally go on a quest seeking for something sweeter. And where do we usually go to look for that next “high”, that next pitch, that next excitement? In the world. In the ways that the world understand things. Surely, what follows then is disappointment. Nope. Not as good as Jesus. Not as tasty as Jesus. Not as fulfilling as Jesus.

And for as long as we’re in this natural body, we’re obligated to keep it excited. Is it by sugar, salt, caffeine, drugs, money, sex, fame? We’ll try, I’m sure. But, at the end of the day, nothing can compare to the joy Christ is to the soul. Nothing can compare to the peace Christ is to our bones. Nothing can compare to the healing Christ is to our hearts.

Some of us may look or act miserable. It is simply because our attention has been redirected to the natural world where whatever good that seems to exist exists only for a very short amount of time.

Yes, as Christians, some of us do get depressed when we have to veer our attention to the natural world for we know that nothing we do will ever change anything for sure. But as soon as our minds and hearts are brought back to the things of everlasting value, we’re found at joy and peace again, but not without the accusation of being oblivious to the natural world.

And the words of Christ Jesus are proven clearer and clearer day by day:

“Truly I tell you,” Jesus replied, “no one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for My sake and for the gospel will fail to receive a hundredfold in the present age— houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and fields, along with persecutions— and to receive eternal life in the age to come.” (Mark 10:29-30)

The wine of the world, the false beliefs and understandings of the world, can never come close to measuring up with the revelations God has shared with us in Christ Jesus.

No, never alone.

And as the old hymn goes,

I’ve seen the lightning flashing,
And heard the thunder roll;
I’ve felt sin’s breakers dashing,
Trying to conquer my soul;
I’ve heard the voice of Jesus,
Telling me still to fight on;
He promised never to leave me,
Never to leave me alone.

No, never alone,
No, never alone,
He promised never to leave me,
Never to leave me alone;
No, never alone,
No, never alone,
He promised never to leave me,
Never to leave me alone.

The world’s fierce winds are blowing,
Temptations are sharp and keen;
I feel a peace in knowing
My Savior stands between;
He stands to shield me from danger,
When earthly friends are gone,
He promised never to leave me,
Never to leave me alone.

When in affliction’s valley,
I’m treading the road of care,
My Savior helps me to carry
My cross when heavy to bear;
My feet entangled with briars,
Ready to cast me down;
My Savior whispered His promise,
Never to leave me alone.

He died for me on the mountain,
For me they pierced His side,
For me He opened that fountain,
The crimson, cleansing tide;
For me He waits in glory,
Seated upon His throne;
He promised never to leave me,
Never to leave me alone.

Never to leave us alone.