“You said You’d be there to share all my sorrows; You said You’d be there for all my tomorrows;

I came so close to sending you away,But just like you promised, You came there to stay; I just had to pray…

And Jesus said, Come to the water, stand by my side; I know you are thirsty, you won’t be denied.

I felt every tear drop, when in darkness you cried; and I strove to remind you, that for those tears I died.”

This old hymn says it best, don’t you think?There have been struggles this year that have worn me down. Facing obstacles that stand and shout “YOU CAN’T BEAT ME!!” has been exhausting and time consuming. Grief has entered where it was not welcome, when people who I thought wouldn’t die now in fact did. Financial issues, health issues, etc have all been part of this landscape. And here’s what I have to say:

Only Jesus.

Can I say it again? Only Jesus. There is no other explanation on this earth that can EVER explain how anyone ever gets through these situations.

Sometimes, I dance around “in your face” gospel sharing..I try the gentle, persuasive, and happier approaches. I mention answered prayers, healing, protection in situations, etc. And there’s nothing wrong with that, unless it’s the only view I allow others to see of my walk with the Lord. It’s almost like I want to wait until they know Jesus to let them see the hard stuff.

But sometimes, Only Jesus. I just need to get down off any pedestals of my own sharing and just stand in a cleared off space and shout: “No! I am NOT handling this or anything else on my own! I am NOT capable. I have been beaten up, slammed down and frustrated by everything! Please don’t think it’s me, because ONLY JESUS!!

When I am there I know tears are freely flowing, and I am not standing in some polite, refined prayer pose. I am on the floor, pounding on it, crying out to the only One who created me, knows me, and loves me infinitely. I am unconcerned with how this looks..I am just being completely utterly REAL.

Which leads to this:

Dear world that does not know Jesus, I don’t know how you do it. I really can’t begin to understand. I know that I was a sinner, separated from God, and that the only hope I had was Jesus Christ and His death on the cross, which paid the penalty for my sin, and made me righteous in His sight. I know that because of His resurrection and triumph over death, that I can have victory THROUGH Him living in my life.

And THAT is the ONLY way that I survive. That’s the only reason I can ugly cry at the death of loved ones and still leave knowing that they have victory. The only reason I can face giants and win. Maybe with scars and bruises, but still a win. The only way that I can face eternity because I know I will live with Him forever.

THAT is the real Christian life. That times will be tough, struggles will be real, defeats will happen, and death will come. And only Jesus. Period. If you do not know Him, please seek out someone who does, and who can lead you to Him. Because in the end, it’s ONLY JESUS! Amen.