Soul Scientist

Another excerpt from the “Letters to Sarah: Thriving in Chronic Illness” devotional book coming in early 2025 from Northeastern Baptist Press.

I surely hope this might encourage you wherever you are and whatever you face.

This letter is for you, especially if you’re having a rough day…

Revelation 22:20 ICB Jesus is the One who says that these things are true. Now he says, “Yes, I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!

John 17:3 GW This is eternal life: to know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you sent.

Dearest Sarah,

I have a feeling that you might be having one of those days where you yearn for all this pain, grief, and loss to just be done. (The D.O.N.E. kind of “stick a fork in me done” just like how you can feel even before you get out of bed on a rough day.) Not to end life but rather to restart it or even to return to it.  Because even the harder days of what used to be is most likely far easier than most days now, including today.

I know that feeling very well.

And I’ve learned that this feeling can either consume me in its demands or compel me in its direction. The demands that this day is going to require far more than I have to give. Or the opposite. The direction that this day can point me to the far more that my Good God has already given. For when I reorient my mind and heart in that direction of gratitude for the exceeding abundant grace straight from His Hand to my life, I am strengthened deep in the soil of my soul. And in that strength, eternity is welcomed into today.

Because when I recognize eternity in today, I see that Jesus is already here with me. He’s not just coming soon on that glorious day, He’s here in the middle of this day. And rooted deep in the heart of that truth is that today is eternal life. Jesus doesn’t want me to wait until I’m well or whole to reside with Him; He wants is my willingness to abide. For He welcomes me into today with Him in eternal life.

He’s here today with you, too. Just like He was yesterday and all the days of the life you used to know. Just like He’ll be with you tomorrow in all the days of what you don’t know (or might fear). And He’s really here – not just sitting over in the corner wishing He was somewhere else or only halfway interested – but here closer than a very best friend (see Proverbs 18:24). He’s not here out of lack, obligation, or guilt; He’s here in love, opportunity, and grace. He’s giving strength in joy and salvation in Himself. And it just doesn’t get any better than that!

I could say a bunch more (as you well know by now) but I don’t think I could say anything more important than this – Jesus loves you just as you are and He loves you right where you are. He is the One Who stays and never leaves. He’ll never be done with you or with the day (no matter how you might feel about this day or His plan for you in this day).

Jesus is life for every day. He is eternal life. And that’s the kind of days and life He wants for you and for me for today and for forever!

Praying for you with much love,

Your friend,

Beth   

Dear reader friends,

If you’re having a rough day, please look in the archives here on the blog for other letters to Sarah. And please know that you’ve never alone, no matter how long or how much you’ve suffered.

Jesus loves you today and will love you in the forever of days.

your friend,

Beth

If you were encouraged by this post, please like it and share it with others who might be having a rough day too. Jesus is for all of us, all of the time.

written by and copyrighted to Beth Madison, Ph.D., 2024.