Afflictions eclipsed by glory.

For a lot of the young people that attend the many different events we hold at Llandudno Youth for Christ, the next two weeks are going to be one full of exams and revision and potentail stress.

That is on-top of the confusion, anger, fear and disbelief that they might be feeling following the recent attacks in Manchester and London.

We need to be praying for our young people in this time.

Praying that they find God in amongst all that is going on around them.

Praying for His grace, peace and love to reach out to confused and hurting hearts and minds.

Praying for them to find His strength in their weakness.

Praying.

Whilst I was thinking about all of this, I remembered John Mark McMillan’s song ‘How He loves’. This is the full version of the song; not the cut down, cleaned up and sanitised version we might sing together in churches on Sundays.

John Mark McMillan wrote the song as a response to hearing the news that a friend of his had died tragically in a car accident. It was his way of dialoguing with God about this event that filled him with so much anger, confusion and frustration. You can watch a great video here where he explains more about the background to the song.

As John Mark McMillan says “This song isn’t a celebration of weakness and anger. It’s a celebration of a God who would want to hang with us through those things, who would want to be a part of our lives through those things, and, despite who we are, He would want to be a part of us, our community, and our family.”

“For we do not have a high priest who is unable to feel sympathy for our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are – yet he did not sin. Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” – Hebrews 4:15-16

In Jesus, God entered our world in a very real and physical way. He took on our humanity and became just like one of us. He was and still is our Emmanuel – God with us.

As not only the young people wrestle with their exams and with questions and doubts that will naturally arise in the wake of the past couple of weeks, but also as we all wrestle with questions of justice and mercy, faith and doubt, and other emotions that will be rising up within us; let us never forget that the God we love and serve, loves us so much more than we can ever imagine; and is with us every step of the way.

“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.’” – Deuteronomy 31:6

I chose afflictions eclipsed by glory as the title of this post; as we see so much affliction around us today, yet, with eyes of faith as we look to God we see so much of His glory; that it eclipses all of the trouble and strife. His love is the answer to our very great needs within us and in the world around us.

Read the full lyrics to John Mark McMillan’s ‘How He loves’ here, and listen to the full song here.

Also, This coming Wednesday 7th June at 7pm we will be holding our annual Showcase. Come and find out what Llandudno Youth For Christ has been up to this year, and what the plans are for next year too. They’ll be times of worship – led by young people – interviews and testimonies, and a Q&A panel of team and young people. There will also be much needed time to pray together as a community of Jesus’ followers.

Have a great week, and remember that He love us!