Life is a journey, but remember that His grace is sufficient for you. 2 Corinthians 12:9

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Many of us suddenly found our schedules changing due to the current pandemic. Personally, all of my classes (for the spring semester) moved online after spring break; and although I was working initially, my hours were cut eventually. In-person church meetings were cancelled also forcing services to go virtual.
To be honest, it was all discouraging at first. A pandemic was sweeping throughout the world, a lot of my family and friends were worried and so was I.
I just remember spending a lot of time asking God questions (especially at the beginning). I asked Him why was the rest of my family so far away at a time like this? Or why where innocent and nice people contracting the virus and losing their lives?
After several weeks of mind misery, I started asking God for guidance and direction about the next few months. I realized I wasn't going to make it out alive if I constantly focused on the negative things that were surrounding me. That realization created even more fear. I was overwhelmed and desperately needed God.
Then the words of a poem my mother had shared with me when I was a child started coming to my mind. I decided to look it up and the words became an inspiration.
Slowly, I began to realize that this entire time I wasn't walking alone. In fact, I wasn't walking at all. Christ was carrying me.
Below is the inspirational poem written by Mary Fishback Powers:
Footprints in the Sand
One night I dreamed a dream. As I was walking along the beach with my Lord. Across the dark sky flashed scenes from my life. For each scene, I noticed two sets of footprints in the sand, One belonging to me and one to my Lord.
After the last scene of my life flashed before me, I looked back at the footprints in the sand. I noticed that at many times along the path of my life, especially at the very lowest and saddest times, there was only one set of footprints.
This really troubled me, so I asked the Lord about it. "Lord, you said once I decided to follow you, You'd walk with me all the way. But I noticed that during the saddest and most troublesome times of my life, there was only one set of footprints. I don't understand why, when I needed You the most, You would leave me."
He whispered, "My precious child, I love you and will never leave you Never, ever, during your trials and testings. When you saw only one set of footprints, It was then that I carried you."
One of the things I'm constantly reminded of is the fact that life is a journey and there are times where the road feels long and lonely. But as Christians, we have the hope and comfort that Jesus is with us and will carry us when we can no longer walk or carry our burdens.
Matthew 11:28 to 30 states: "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."
What does your journey look like? What are you carrying? Do you feel lonely, overwhelmed, frustrated? I Peter 5:7 admonishes us to "cast all our cares upon him, for he cares for us."
The beauty of Christ is that He is the perfect gentleman who is both willing to carry our burdens and also provide a balm for our souls. So whatever you are carrying or dealing with right now, you can trust Jesus with it.
Conclusion
The year is about 3/4 over and things have not gotten better for a lot of us. In fact with all the recent deaths, you could say things seem to be getting worse.
But as a christian, we have to believe that God has a plan. And even though we can't see it, we hope. Romans 8:24 states "For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for?"
Our faith and trust in Jesus Christ is not in the earthly things that we can see. It is in the hope of his return and reward.
Prayer
Dear God, when I gave my life to you I started out on this journey of faith. This year has tested all of us; but my resolve is still the same. I rededicate my life, my thoughts, my mind to you. Please take over and lead me. Help me to remain faithful in spite of the current difficulties I am facing on this journey of life. When the burdens become to heavy, or the road feels lonely, help me to trust you, to lean on you, and to realize that you care for me. I refuse to doubt or question your judgement or lead. Please give me the peace I need to count it all joy. In Jesus' name. Amen.
Stay Blessed!
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