Thursday, July 5, 2012

Not Alone

When it rains it pours. It seems that whenever times are hard, things just start pilling up. If it's not one thing, it's another. Everything seems to come all at once. It seems that the cares and stresses of life start pilling up, becoming larger and larger; a boat anchor tied to the ankle, dragging down down down into to the depths.  All the worries and past failures, cares and stresses, all the things that need to get done... seems there is not enough time to do it all. Is there anyone out there? Anyone at all? Anyone who knows? Anyone who cares? Anyone who will listen? Listen to the cries of an aching heart? Listen and not judge?

To all those who feel this way. To all those who ask these questions. To all those who are struggling. To all those who feel as though they are caught in the storms of life, like a boat tossed about by the waves, wet and cold and trying to hold on. You are not alone. You are not alone in your struggles. You are not alone in the storm. There is someone who knows how you feel. There is someone who has been through what you have been through. There is someone who cares very much about you. Someone who knows sorrow and is familiar with suffering. Someone who can sympathize with every weakness. Someone who has experienced rejection, pain, loneliness, hurt to such an extent that is far beyond any human comprehension or understanding. That someone was beaten, flogged, and had his flesh ripped off to the point where his form was no longer recognizable. That someone had his hands and feet nailed   to the cruelest torture device known to man - the cross - where he bore the weight of the sins of the world on his shoulders - my sins and your sins. That someone was even forsaken by his own father; such a separation no human mind can fathom. That someone is Jesus Christ. And the most amazing part of it all? Jesus went through all of that because he so dearly loves you. Jesus went through all of that because he wants to have a relationship with you. Jesus went through all of that because he wants to enter your heart and soul, rearrange your life, renew your mind, and give you life more abundantly. I cannot even begin to describe how crazy, unfathomable, and amazing his love is for you. He is always there for you. Never will he leave you nor will he ever forsake you. Just call on the name of Jesus! Take him at his word! You are not alone.

Below are the lyrics to one of my favorite songs, Not Alone by Red. Whenever I feel alone or overwhelmed by everything going on in life,  these words come to mind. As you read these lyrics, picture Jesus standing before you, saying those very words to you.


"Not Alone"

Slowly fading away
You're lost and so afraid
Where is the hope in a world so cold
Looking for a distant light
Someone who could save a life
You're living in fear that no one will hear your cries
Can you save me now

I am with you
I will carry you through it all
I won't leave you I will catch you
When you feel like letting go
Cause your not, your not alone

Your heart is full of broken dreams
Just a fading memory
And everything's gone but the pain carries on
Lost in the rain again
When will it ever end
The arms of relief seem so out of reach
But I, I am here

I am with you
I will carry you through it all
I won't leave you I will catch you
When you feel like letting go
Cause your not, your not alone

And I'll be your hope when you feel like its over
And I will pick you up when your whole world shatters
And when you're finally in my arms
Look up and see love has a face

I am with you
I will carry you through it all
I won't leave you I will catch you
When you feel like letting go
Cause you're not, you're not alone

And I will be your hope
And I will pick you up
And I will be your hope
And I will be your hope

Slow fading away
Your lost and so afraid
Where is the hope in a world so cold