Through Him, Life, New Life.

A child was born with eyes shut, skinless, chin tied to chest, unable to have skin-to-skin contact with the mother, still God provided ways for the child to be cared for and live for the amount of time God had determined before the world was even formed.

“Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.” (John 1:3)

Today, sealife is being destroyed as much as landlife being polluted by all forms of deterioration. God provides an apparatus to breathe through and still live to see another day: our hope in Christ Jesus.

An employee fails to report to work only to be found sitting on a chair with the TV on, long gone, long left this world.

A nation’s president chooses death over facing shame for what many once applauded him for.

A student boarded her last ride. Another didn’t get to see graduation day after years of sleepless nights.

“I see trees of green, red roses too
I see them bloom for me and you
And I think to myself what a wonderful world
I see skies of blue and clouds of white
The bright blessed day, the dark sacred night
And I think to myself what a wonderful world
The colors of the rainbow so pretty in the sky
Are also on the faces of people going by
I see friends shaking hands saying how do you do
They’re really saying I love you
I hear babies crying, I watch them grow
They’ll learn much more than I’ll never know
And I think to myself what a wonderful world
Yes I think to myself what a wonderful world” wrote George Weiss and Robert Thiele.

Yes, I had, many times, thought to myself “what a wonderful world” until I learned of the young child who had to grow up overnight after having lost both parents to illnesses, drugs, wars, guns or accidents to try and provide for her younger siblings.

“A wonderful world”, we had hoped this world to be. Yes, every time I read or listen to the news, I am reminded of the imageries showing the downfall of the Titanic.

When I watch shows like the Oscars or the Emmys seeking to celebrate talents and passions, I am reminded of the scene of the movie Titanic where the hired musicians simply kept on playing even as everyone else was going frantic over the ship sinking.

“I will always love you”, written by Dolly Parton, summarizes the end message of the gospel. So does “I’ll be there”, by Miles Jaye. So does “When you believe” by Stephen Schwartz. So does “Lean on me” by Bill Withers. So does “All of me” by John Stephens and Tobias Gad. So does “Merci” by Ansy and Yole Derose.

I remember my first stumble onto the paintings of the late Thomas Kinkade, also known as “the painter of light.” It was almost the perfect match to the song “What a wonderful world”.

The bills in the mail can serve as proof of this world to not be as wonderful as many have claimed. Yet, the payments contribute to the paychecks of many. Rather than complain about the bills, we thank God for enabling us to make the payments and thus contribute to the livelihood paycheck of another. Even if we’re still waiting for a way to either pay up or have the debts be forgiven, we can still thank God that we had received the needed service without being assured of when the payments would be made.

Even in times of distress, the gathering of the long-forgotten relatives and friends from near and far, all in one area to mourn the passing of their loved ones, celebrate their memories and contemplate the blessed presence of each other, all in all makes life in this world worth living even for a minute.

God makes us able to live in this world for as long as we’re here for. He provides.

As Christ said:

“He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.” (Matthew 5:45)

God takes care of this world. Regardless of how fallen it seems, His eyes are constantly on each and every one of us to provide for, to nurture, to rejoice, to comfort, to restore, to mature.

It is a blessing to live in this world for whenever you’re in God’s care, you’re blessed. And you’re never away from His care. Though, you’d be much more blessed for not only being in His care, but also acknowledging that truly you’re in God’s loving care because the mind, the conscience, can be very condemning whenever it falls short of the truth. Therefore, it is a greater blessing to live in Christ, to know God through Christ, to not only have but also appreciate what you have, which is God’s love for you. Christ Jesus is such love substantially. For when this world seems depleted of all joy and hope, Christ remains as the one and only joy and hope and peace.

The new covenant amplifies to us what has always been but was not always made clear to us: God’s love for us.

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.” (John 3:16-18)

Refusing something good is in itself a manner of self-condemnation. We believe many things, and even fairy tales. We long for them to be true. And yet, due to the perverted works of others who claim to be associated with the truth, we tend to doubt and rather shy away from having anything to do with someone who claiming to be representing Christ but whose life and examples speak differently.

Money is used for many means, including evil. Yet, we don’t shy away from it for we know its true essence which is to facilitate a legal exchange for goods and services. Likewise, when we go and revisit the gospel, as basic and simple its message was intended to be, only then we realize not only the true meaning of the gospel but also the very reason we should highly acknowledge it and appreciate.

People will not condemn themselves by refusing money. Likewise, people should not condemn themselves for refusing a message telling them about a gift that they have and such gift resides and how to make withdrawals on such gift, such inheritance. Having heard of our inheritance from God in Christ, our job is to make withdrawals as needed, which is daily. We withdraw our hope, our confidence, our comfort, our peace, our joy in Christ, by faith, by believing in Him as much grace has guided us to.

As Christ once was in this world, so are we. By grace through faith in the good care of our Father God, the good of Jesus Christ, the good care of the Holy Spirit to the glory of what is yet to be revealed, what no eyes have seen, or ears have heard, our inheritance in Christ Jesus as children of God.

Acknowledge the love of God in Christ Jesus and rest in it. Acknowledge the love of God in Christ Jesus and build upon it with joy and peace. Live in the light of His love. Live by the power of His love. Live in the new covenant of Christ Jesus with God.

Blessed be his name. Blessed are you who welcomed him in your heart. Blessed are you who are made joyful and breathing above all circumstances by His presence in your heart. Blessed is anyone in the good care of God through Christ Jesus. Blessed is the work of God through Christ Jesus from eternity to eternity. Amen.

“Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.” (John 1:3)

Through Christ Jesus, the new covenant was made for me and you to acknowledge, appreciate and rest in.

Through Him, Life, New Life.