When Life Isn't Easy

"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." John 16:33 (NIV)

Too often I'm enchanted into thinking that life should be easy. I want it to hum ahead. I want the days to flow beautifully without sticking and clunking and crashing. I once imagined life to be perfect only when my house looked like a magazine and I didn't get frazzled by the demands and surprises of everyday life.

Hello, real world. Hello, my frail humanity.

These past few weeks, I kept thinking, Life is kind of difficult right now and, honestly God, I'm not liking it and I don't understand it. But I love how God speaks and births Divinity into my very humanity. Most times it's in the hard times, the questions, the longing, the itches and the scratches—the hay right up my nose—where Jesus wants to be birthed. I am reminded that today, God wants to meet me in my struggle and my discomfort. If I make room—welcome Him in—I have a Savior who offers a Kingdom of Peace. This Kingdom needs to come—not some day in a perfect heaven, but right now, today, on earth, in my broken humanity.

Jesus, please meet me today in the center of my struggles and questions. Meet me in pain and loneliness. Meet me in discomfort and anger. Wherever I'm at, please come and meet me. May Your Kingdom of Love, Peace, Patience and Humility come in me, even now. Amen.