A week in the life posted by jwatson on Sep 15, 2014

By the end of the week, I had learned and heard through phone calls and emails the following:

• One of my wife’s students didn’t bring his book to school. His book was at his dad’s condo, and he was staying with his mom because his parents were breaking up.
• A friend, burned by tremendous school debt, a divorce and then unemployment which forced a move, was in a state of anxiety and drinking heavily.
• Two young families from our daughter’s school had both lost their fathers, suddenly and unexpectedly, from massive heart attacks.
• A friend of my mother-in-law had taken his life because, at age 80 and in failing health, he didn’t want his kids to have to care for him.

The tensions of life define our day-to-day existence. Broken relationships, financial hardships, addictions, ill health, doubts, insecurities, and lonliness are just a few. Rev. Paul Zahl, retired pastor, said that our lives are characterized by our mortality. Every day we face it in some way, shape or form.

My brother died from cancer last September. My father-in-law died from a failed heart in February. Tension manifests itself in more ways than death. All of us seem to live life on a treadmill of endless striving and earning to do it all and do it all well even at a tremendous cost to us and others. The day-to-day grind to keep up fatigues all of us. What do we do with all of this?

Jesus said, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die.” —John 11:25

Christianity has an outcome for death. It is resurrection. Jesus suffered, died, and rose from the dead. Our faith knows that suffering is real. We grieve. We weep. We despair. But tension and death are not the last words. Jesus conquered sin and death forever and now we have a paradox—dying is life. Without death there can be no resurrection. Therefore, we need not fear death.

“Death has been swallowed up in victory. Where O death, is your victory? Where O death, is your sting?” —1 Corinthians 15:54-55

That is Good News, and it is good to share it with others. We can help you.

Download our Gospel tract and share it:

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Or share this link with acquaintances who seek spiritual answers:

evangelismexplosion.org/resources/steps-to-life