25 Jul Everything We Need by Dr. Laura Koke
While I was in college at ORU, I met one of my dearest lifelong BFF’s, Katie Luce. Katie is adorable. She’s this tiny little firecracker of a woman, who’s impacted many lives in ministry, and gratefully, she’s one of those friends who just ‘gets me.’ With over 30 years of friendship under our belts, we have been through so much together. A few years ago, when we were both going through major valley moments in our lives, she came for a visit. We spent a few days relaxing and sharing our hearts with one another. It was divine! At the end of our time together, after talking and praying ‘round and ‘round our issues, we both landed on the same conclusion – Jesus is the answer. It’s always, only Jesus who can handle all our ‘stuff’, keep us sane, moving forward, and full of joy in this crazy mixed up world we live in. We had a good laugh as we realized after so many years of life, ministry and loving God, that we ALWAYS land back at the same place… a place of trusting Jesus with everything most dear to us. It was a sweet reminder of how our peace and joy levels are 100% dependent on staying ‘Presence’ focused instead of ‘problem’ focused!
When we view every challenge through the prism of Jesus, our perspective changes. All the pain we suffer here on this earth doesn’t compare to the immeasurable riches we have ‘in Him’. Those riches ‘in Him’ will certainly exist in Heaven forever; but they also extend to us in the here & now. Discouragement about everything shifts to hope when we see things through the eyes of Jesus. He who always believed the best in his disciples… who brought healing to the sick and oppressed… who forgave the deepest of regrets… who spoke peace into troubled waters… who fed the multitudes… who opened unseeing eyes… who saw what nobody else could envision in broken humanity… also wants these experiences for you and me. When circumstances look bleak, we can remind ourselves that Jesus said, “I have overcome the world!” – that includes anything in this world we will ever encounter. The bottom line is, ‘Jesus is everything’!!
Never in my life have I experienced this truth more fully, than when we lost our beautiful 17 – year – old son Caleb in a tragic car accident 6 years ago. As I soaked in God’s Presence, week in and week out, for months on end, (And even now during weeks like this leading up to his Anniversary, July 14th), I’m telling you, my way of looking at life began to change! I was able to clearly see that Caleb’s purpose simply transferred from earth to Heaven, that God is using him there to do strategic things for His kingdom, that there are countless ways we can continue Caleb’s legacy (Check out the Caleb Foundation @calebfoundation.com), and one glorious day we will be united again for eternity. Those first few months and years after he transitioned to Heaven was a time of intense healing, and I often felt I couldn’t muster up the strength to do all Rob and I were called to do. When my flesh and my heart failed me; I found God truly was, and still is, the strength of my heart and my portion forever. (Psalm 73:26)
When we get to our forever home in Heaven, everything will be perfect. There will be undying beauty, with no more tears, sadness or dark circumstances to walk through. However, while we live in this fallen, trouble filled world… because of Jesus, it can be well with our soul! It is this “but Jesus” factor that makes all the difference in our lives. And honestly, even when things are going our way, we still need Him to help us navigate well. Jesus is the truest love of our lives, He will never leave us, He is before all things and all things hold together through Him, in Him we live and move and have our being, there is no other name above the name of Jesus… He is and forever will be the answer, solution, remedy, satisfaction, we long for, for everything… because JESUS IS EVERYTHING!
No matter what you’re facing today, good or not so good, my prayer for you is that you will lift your eyes to Heaven, fix your eyes on Jesus, and remember He is with you – He is on your side – He lives in you – and He ‘s working everything out for your good. Everything is going to be okay, because Jesus is everything we need!
Psalm 33:20-22 (MSG) – We’re depending on God; he’s everything we need. What’s more, our hearts brim with joy since we’ve taken for our own his holy name. Love us, God, with all you’ve got – that’s what we’re depending on.