thrive community

I received a phone call yesterday from my mentor, Steve Smothers concerning a friend of mine from high school. He called to inform me that my friends husband had committed suicide and that he would be doing the funeral the next day. Steve had been our youth pastor and we all deeply enjoyed those days together. I could tell that Steve was feeling the impact of the situation and could hear his concern for our friend in his voice. This was a tragedy beyond one person taking his life. The impact has yet to be realized.

Many people contemplate taking their own life yet never follow through. I would be one of them. But God used the circumstances surrounding my life at that time to bring me to faith in Christ. It’s hard for me to fathom the depths of pain that someone must feel and the hopelessness that stirs in a person’s soul that would influence them to follow through with such a life altering decision. But the truth remains that there is still healing and hope available to every person, no matter how dark things may seem.

It’s been a few weeks since I’ve last written. The busyness of life, ministry and writing has been exhaustive to say the least. Other priorities have taken a front seat and pushed their way forward, though uninvited. But this situation has stirred my heart and I felt that I had to write about it. Things concerning life and death seem to take the drivers seat when they arise. Everything else suddenly takes a back seat and the priority of people makes us step on the brake, rightly bringing our active life to a halt. The eternal interrupts the temporal and the search for meaning and significance reemerges from our soul once again.

Life is precious. It’s an amazing gift from God. It’s no mistake that you and I were created.  We are infused with value and worth from God. There is not one person worthy to choose his or her own quick exit from this life. God didn’t say “oops” when He brought us into this world and He’s not looking to take us out of here until His purpose with us and in us is complete. It’s a blessing to be loved that much and for God to have that kind of thought towards us.

 We read in Psalm 139 that we are fearfully and wonderfully made by God and that He was intricately involved in birthing us to life. Humanity’s journey is to rediscover the dream that initiated our being brought into existence. Sometimes it can be difficult to understand all that God desires for us in the midst of conflicting values and beliefs we hold, as well as the world around us. It’s important that we listen to the right voice that will lead us to life, a life that is full as God intended.

God has given me a voice through Thrive Community. It’s important for me to take this opportunity, in light of this situation to speak life for the several hundred people who come here to read, listen and learn from what is offered here. I always want to be an encouragement to those who are discouraged and a guide for those who have lost their way. Though my voice may be smaller than others, I’m still overwhelmed with the responsibility and privilege of having the attention of people seeking to hear from me. So, let me share what has been stirring in my heart for those who will listen.

Don’t throw away your life. It’s more valuable than you realize.  Like in the movie, It’s A Wonderful Life, I’m asking God, right now to give you a George Bailey moment. A moment where you could come to realize how valuable you are to God, your family, your friends and the generations to come. Your emotions and surface experiences do not adequately convey how much you are worth. The uniqueness of your life is not an accident, it’s was on purpose. What you bring to the table, no one else can bring. It’s not just about what you do, it’s about who you are. Even through your brokenness, God is able to bring light to you and the world around you.

If you find yourself in a place where ending your life seems to be the only option, may I offer you another alternative. Instead of living in the past, why not live for the future? Instead of having an ending, why not have a new beginning? Instead of holding your pain in, why not share it with those you love so they can help you? There are always more options to choose in life than death will allow you to have. What most people who come through this “dark night of the soul” discover is that life is really worth living and the fog they felt trapped in was cleared away and a new beginning emerged. A life that is happier and better than they could have ever imagined.

I pray for you, that the still small voice of God would be heard in the depths of your soul. I pray that the light of Jesus would shine brightly and illuminate the eyes of your heart so that you may see God’s love and His dream for your life. May you find hope and strength to open your life to those who love you most. May the Holy Spirit protect you from the enemy who is seeking to steal, kill and destroy your life and may you discover the abundant life offered to you through Jesus Christ and keep moving towards wholeness of heart. May God restore all that is broken and renew your passion to live in gratitude for all that God has given you.

Please let me know if I can help you in any way. God’s richest blessings to you all.