Sunny Days Are Here Again!

I just got back from a youth workers conference in sunny Phoenix. While it was 30-40 degrees in Bloomington-Normal it was 70-80 degrees in Arizona. For almost 4 days I enjoyed the sun and heat, the conference, talking with my travel companion and co-worker Mrs. Park, and spending time with some friends who had moved to Phoenix last year.

Then... I had to come back.

It was 30 degrees outside when we landed in Bloomington. It was cold and dark. It didn't seem like a great way to end a trip but the end it was, sadly. They say all good things come to an end which isn't quite true. I think the good times are only interrupted. God never said times would always be easy, sunny, warm and great. Jesus says in John 16, "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." If I had my choice I'd live in a climate that was 80 degrees year round but that's not where God wants me. What about you? What's your trouble right now? Take heart that our problems are temporary and God can overcome any problem in our path. What about peace? Not one of us has a perfect life: money, school, grades, friends, family, teachers, coaches, instructors, youth directors, siblings, sex, drugs and on and on. No, not one of us is alone in experiencing trouble but when you let God handle it you find true peace. Peace and trouble, but God has overcome your daily trouble and your next day's trouble. Rely on God today and you'll find that sunny spot even though the cold and dark may be lurking around you.

Of course let's not forget we too often focus on what we don't have instead of what we do have. Despite the cold in Illinois, I have a warm house, food, a jacket, friends, a job, a car and on and on and on and on. In ways that God has blessed us, maybe we can be warmth and light for others today or the next.

Peace,
-Rob