Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.  Matthew 5:16

Trust in Him at all times, you people; pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us.  Psalm 62:8 NKJV.

How do we understand the trials and problems that seem to be coming more forcefully for ourselves and those we love, but also for everyone today?  How can we be a light for what is true and real when we ourselves are buffeted and tossed by events we cannot fathom?  I know for me, when I am spent and exhausted, I look to Creator God – Father, Son, Spirit.  And He is there.  He told us things would only get worse as time marches on.  And in our chapter, Luke 21, we see that how God sees is not how mankind sees.  And He looked up and saw the rich putting their gifts  into the treasury.  And He saw a poor widow putting in two small copper coins.  And He said, “Truly I say to you, this poor widow put in more than all of them; for they out of their surplus put into the offering; but she out of her poverty put in all that she had to live on.”  And while some were talking about the temple, that it was adorned with beautiful stones and votive gifts, He said, “As for these things which you are looking at, the days will come in which there will not be left one stone upon another which will not be torn down.”  They questioned Him, saying, “Teacher, when therefore will these things happen?  And what will be the sign when these things are about to take place?”  v. 1-7.  Imagine hearing Jesus the Son, Creator God, telling them these two things.  What about our poverty?  What about the magnificent buildings of today?  Is our poverty not having God?  And He said, “See to it that you are not misled; for many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am He,’ and, ‘The time is near.’  Do not go after them.  When you hear of wars and disturbances, do not be terrified; for these things must take place first, but the end does not follow immediately.”  Then He continued by saying to them, “Nation will rise against nation and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be great earthquakes, and in various places plagues and famines; and there will be terrors and great signs from heaven.  But before all these things, they will lay their hands on you and will persecute you, delivering you to the synagogues and prisons, bringing you before kings and governors for My name’s sake.  It will lead to an opportunity for your testimony.  So make up your minds not to prepare beforehand to defend yourselves; for I will give you utterance and wisdom which none of your opponents will be able to resist or refute.”  v. 8-15.  Do we understand what Jesus is saying?  At this point for them that He is describing, He will have been crucified and risen.  And yet, it will be Him who will give them what to say; and for all that happened for them after He was gone.  When trouble comes, personal or national or affecting this whole world, keep your eyes on God.  “But you will be betrayed even by parents and brothers and relatives and friends, and they will put some of you to death, and you will be hated by all because of My name.  Yet not one hair of your head will perish.  By your endurance you will gain your lives.  But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then recognize that her desolation is near.  Then those who are in Judea must flee to the mountains, and those who are in the midst of the city must leave, and those who are in the country must not enter the city; because these are the days of vengeance, so that all things which are written will be fulfilled.  Woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days; for there will be great distress upon the land and wrath to this people; and they will fall by the edge of the sword, and will be led captive into all the nations; and Jerusalem will be trampled under foot by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled. “ v. 16-24.  That time for Jerusalem happened just 40 years later and it was a terrible time.  “There will be signs in sun and moon and stars, and on the earth dismay among nations, in perplexity at the roaring of the sea and the waves, men fainting from fear and the expectation of the things which are coming upon the world; for the powers of the heavens will be shaken.  Then they will see the Son of Man coming on a cloud with power and great glory (Rev. 1:7).  But when these things begin to take place, straighten up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.” v. 25-28.  As I look to God and not to the awful events in our world today, I can lift my head and straighten up because He alone is my anchor and I trust Him.  Jesus goes on to remind us that as we see events unfolding in our time, remember our redemption is drawing near.  “Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will not pass away.  Be on guard that your hearts will not be weighted down with dissipation and drunkenness and the worries of life, and that day will not come on you suddenly like a trap; for it will come upon all those who dwell on the face of all the earth.  But keep on the alert at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that are about to take place, and to stand before the Son of Man.”  v. 33-36.  The people then came early in the morning just to hear Jesus speak.  v. 37-38.  What about us?  We can’t know when these events will be but we can know the utter turmoil in our world today.  At what time do we not need our Creator?  We live in a broken world.  If we can’t see that now, what would we consider broken?  I only know that I am learning with Him, that I can give every single day to Him in trust.  I am learning each day that I can trust Him for myself and for everyone I love and more…for each of you and all of us.  How?  Because the worries and fears for those I love roll over me like punishing waves – right up until the time I remember to look to God and trust Him.  I may forget in the midst of the storm, but He never does.  Heaven and earth will pass away…it matters not.  Creator God IS…and He remains with us and for us.  Always.  How can you know?  Stop looking only at this broken world.  We have reached a point where we can’t believe any words spoken by men who do not know God.  Do not go after them.  Their way is becoming more and more evident as their lies and hate deny God’s love for His children.  Look to Creator God and trust His love for you and for all of us.  That is your starting point on your journey to closeness with Creator God who loves you.  Every step is needed!  God’s love is the light we need in this dark world.  And as we walk with Him, we find others who love Him and together we encourage one another.  Not because we are perfect but because our God is and He is leading us together to worship Him in spirit and in truth and in His love.  It becomes a joy to gather and learn together and share our journeys with one another.  One day all of God’s children will be so gathered and learning and worshipping Him – and He will be with us always!  Can you imagine?  Please try!   And trust Him to lead you faithfully.