Trouble

The trouble with trouble is that it leaves us hopeless and confused. Have you ever been lost? I have an interesting story to share.

My son, Micah was born in Kiev, Ukraine, a city of 3.5 million people. It was January and cold. After his birth, I was responsible to secure a birth certificate and get things underway with the US Embassy for a social security number and a US passport. Time was important as Micah couldn't fly with us to America without the correct documentation.

Before I could work the US Embassy side, I had to get all of the Ukrainian documents in order. Let me fast forward, so I don't bore you with the details. I was on foot looking for a certain government office tucked away in a downtown building. I had given up my car because of traffic and was continuing the search on foot. I knew I was close, but just couldn't find the office. I asked a number of people on the street for help. Many didn't know or didn't care. Others, tried to help, but only helped me get lost with their bad directions. Finally, after an hour of wandering and growing increasingly frustrated, I asked one more person for help. This time the person not only said, "I know where it is located"; they promised to show me the way. Five minutes later my search had ended.

In life we face all kinds of troubles and most of the time we are trapped in our trouble. We don't know the way out. It's not until someone shows us the way or shows us a better way that we are able to find triumph in the midst of our trouble. What kind of trouble are you facing today? Let Jesus show you the way.

In John 14, Jesus knew his disciples were troubled. Jesus was going to the cross and then to heaven. Judas was betraying Jesus and Peter would deny him. The disciples were troubled and confused. Jesus said to them, "Don't let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God, believe also in me." (14:1) Then he said something even more profound, "I am the way, the truth, and the life." Jesus had been talking about the hope of heaven. Now he claims that he is the way to get to there! WOW!!

In life that's what we really need -- someone to show us the way out of our trouble and into a life of triumph! That's why Jesus came, to show us the way. Join us Sunday as we trade our troubles for triumph and we look at the beauty of Jesus as the way to heaven. See you there. Pastor Tom