End

So yesterday I posted the blog entry titled New. Sadly and ironically today I was faced with something that was all about finding an end. Ending something can be a good thing, but in this case it was not. I work for a non-profit in social services. I am not a counselor, but I do hear about some of the extreme cases. Due to confidentiality I do not ask and they do not share names or details, but when there is a crisis we all have to chip in. The crisis came when a person came into the center at their wits end. Everything was shutting down around them. They were on the eve of an eviction. What had sent them so far down this path? Why did they wait so long to seek help? Why couldn't one of the children help? No great answers. The only answer that seemed clear (to this person) was to END it all. They had reached the feeling of hopelessness.

Endless Hope: I sing about it in EVERY concert.
I sing in a group called Message of Mercy. In recent years I have realized just how much pressure is put upon our group because of our name. We are standing under this title-Message-of-Mercy. If there is EVER a time when we do not show true mercy then we are put on the chopping block. I've seen it and heard it happen. The only MAJOR problem with this reality is that it's not REAL. The Message of Mercy does not come from US it comes from GOD through us. There isn't a single good thing about me without Jesus and HIS mercy. The Message is that WE (the group) have flaws and we NEED the Message of Mercy just as much, if not more, than those to whom we sing.

There have been times when I was ready to walk away...no, RUN away from this group. Times can get really tough. The devil presses hard on us. He knows every single weakness and boy oh boy does he press us. Sometimes people throw their hands up and leave. But, as a whole, we have tried to endure. The group has been through deaths, divorces, betrayals, and bitter goodbyes. Every time something happens that shakes us up we have to reassess where we are and try to regain focus. Jesus is the focus. It only works when the focus is on HIM. The ENDLESS HOPE comes from having your focus on HIM and not on ourselves. As soon as we allow self pity, loathing, fear, and defeat to overtake us...we reach an end. Looking at me only leads to more realization of how HOPELESS I am. When I keep my eyes on Jesus I will not sink. When I keep my eyes on Him I can walk on the raging water.

I am thankful for a God who believes in Happily Ever After.