Troubles

​5-12-21
Today's devotion is based on John 16:32,33, where we hear Jesus telling his disciples, "Behold, the hour is coming; indeed it has come, when you will be scattered, each to his own home, and will leave me alone. Yet I am not alone, for the Father is with me. I have said these things to you that in me, you may have peace. In the world, you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world."
So why would Jesus say we will have troubles in this world?  Perhaps it's because of our desire to have more and get more, pushing aside others in our quest to do so; maybe not literally, but still doing it—the almost innate need to put me first.
Perhaps reflecting on the world as God's creation, as very good, as a gift, might encourage us to look at the world differently. Yes, there are troubles, and we will experience troubles whether we caused them or not, but we can recognize that we are part of the problem and part of the solution through God's grace. As Jesus has defeated the world, we live in and under his care.
Please pray with me the prayer for today: Heavenly Father, creator and sustainer of all things in this world, seen and unseen, help us not overcome the troubles we experience in this world. Help us turn to you to live the life that you want us to live as your people who live under your care.  In your holy name, I pray. Amen.