I had something different planned for this post, but the last few days have been pretty busy and I just didn't have the time to finish writing it. I’ll post it once it is finished. So instead, I wanted to share a quick update on life and this song that my friend wrote.
The last few days for me have been somewhat difficult. My son is sick and there have been several events at work that put the Fall and the effects of sin on full display. With my son, I see how his illness is causing his body to not work exactly the way he was designed to. He will be fine in a few days, but it is just a reminder that sin has corrupted this world and people suffer because of sin’s effects on it. The situations at work show something similar, but specifically how the effects of sin lead people to make decisions that result in their own harm.
I’m not immune to this either. I’m often tempted to think “woe is me, this is so hard.” However that isn’t living in hope. In my own sinful thinking, I can convince myself that I shouldn’t have to deal with difficult situations like this, that somehow I deserve to not be inconvenienced. So it isn’t simply everything else that is broken, I am too.
I’m sure many of you have had weeks like this. Weeks that leave you thinking about just how broken our world is because of sin.
So, to resist the temptation of believing that sin and death are winning, I’ve been reflecting on a single passage of scripture for the last 3 or 4 days. Here it is:
53 For this perishable body must put on the imperishable, and this mortal body must put on immortality. 54 When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.” 55 “O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?” 56 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
1 Cor 15:53–57.
As a counselor at Anchored Hope recently told me “Death doesn’t have the last word”.
While reflecting on this passage of the Bible, I’ve also been listening to this song from my friend, Adrian. It’s called The Hope of Christ. Below is the first verse and chorus of the song. Just use the link below to listen on Spotify. You can find it on Apple Music as well, so I’ll include a button to that too.
When all things have come undone
And the storm clouds hide the sun
There is a hope but only one
The hope of Christ our savior
When time is standing deadly still
And strength won't rise to meet our will
There is a hope that fear won't kill
The hope of Christ our savior
Christ before me, Christ behind me
In his strength I rise
Be my guard, Lord, near and far, Lord
No dread can surprise
The hope of Christ
If you’re like me, and are occasionally tempted to believe that death and sin are winning, I hope this reminds you that we are wrong when we think that. Christ has already won.
Edit - included a link to ReCenter Ministries & fixed a spelling error