It's Not The End!

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When people drive into our neighborhood they often become a bit confused. At the beginning of the street there is a sign that says, “Dead End.”  If you come straight down the block you reach what you think is the end, but the road turns to the left. Once again, you think you are reaching the end as you come to a cul de sac, but road turns this time to the right, finally leading you to the true end of the block, a second cul de sac.  In other words, what you originally thought is the end, is not.

Have you ever reached a point in your life when you thought you had reached the end? Maybe life had become too hard and the pain had become too deep. You felt like you’d never be able to move on. You felt like you had reached your end.  I’ve been there. I know many of you have as well. Maybe someone who is reading this is feeling that way today. But, I want you to know that what might seem like the end for us is not necessarily the end. There is often a bit more of the journey to be taken and bit more of life to be enjoyed. God may yet have some good plans for your life.  You see, just because it feels like the end, does not make it the end. 

I think of the story in the book of Esther, when a great plot was set in motion to bring about the end of God’s people, the Jews.  It seemed like their end had finally come. It seemed like they were doomed. But through a series of events and some key players put into place (i.e. Esther and Mordecai), God intervened. And, what seemed like the end was not. In fact, just before they hit what they thought was their end, the Jews experienced one of the greatest victories in their history as a people.  It was not the end, for the book of Esther says, “...their sorrow was turned into joy and their mourning into a day of celebration.” (Esther 9:22 – NIV) 

The prophet Isaiah wrote of how God would work in the lives of his people, “…to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair.” (Isaiah 61:3- NIV) God has done that for his people time and again. And, that’s what God is able to do in our lives even today.

So just when you think you have reached your end and that you will be stuck forever in your sorrow, pain, and despair, don’t see a sign that says, “Dead End.” Rather, look up to God, the One who is able to step into our lives and turn things around. Trust God to take you down a new road and give to you new hope, new victory, and new joy. God is yet able to turn your sorrow into joy and your mourning into a day of celebration!  

Have a great day!

Pastor Tim Harris