I have always felt like I am one of the lucky ones. I’ve gone to all the camps and events I could. I’ve always felt like God and I were best buds. I had difficult times but I always knew that God was there and I didn’t have to be afraid.
That was until I faced my darkest moment. A time when I felt guilt, pain, and darkness all around. It made me so confused and scared that I might not know what light was anymore. I could relate well to King David as well as the Disciples.
David was known as the “Man after God’s own heart.” We all know the story of David and Goliath and how he became King of Israel, yet even the man who was so close to the Lord still had his own failings. He sinned with Bathsheba and even had her husband murdered.
The Disciples were right there with Jesus through all the miracles and stories. They heard each parable and each word that Jesus spoke. But when Jesus approached His crucifixion, they all betrayed Him and ran away. We know that Peter directly denied Jesus, but wouldn’t the other ten also have denied knowing Jesus in their own way? When imagining all these well-known people in the Bible, I realize they must have felt like I did. They felt guilt, they felt pain, and they lost their hope.
But what else do they have in common? They were brought back into the light. David had Nathan correct him and help him become better. The disciples were reintroduced to Jesus and they then became inspired to spread the good news! In our lives when we face death and pain; when we are stuck in the darkness, it can be hard to see the light. However, we remember that our faith isn’t based solely on His death, but we are defined by the Resurrection. We don’t need to hold on to feelings of guilt, pain, hurt, sadness, or anything else that plagues us. Jesus calls us to grow and to share His love. During this Lent season, whenever you feel down, you feel guilty, or sad, know that God has called you to life!
– Brooks Lambert, Ministry Intern
