CASE CLOSED!

More and more I'm either reading or hearing an expression that causes me to tremble for those who believe it to be true. It's New Age, it's deception, it's a denial of the God who loves us so much that He sent His Son to die for us. And these people are so blinded they cannot see the forest for the trees (no disrespect intended to the Lord). In other words, they cannot see the Creator for the creation.

What is this expression? "Give out to the Universe and the Universe will give back to you whatever you desire", or some similar phrase. What, exactly, do they believe this so-called Universe is, I wonder? How do they expect something inanimate to have the ability to help them even in the smallest way? To even recognize that they exist, that they have needs, that they are reaching out to it for help and support?

In Bleak House, Charles Dickens has one of his characters, Harold Skimpole, comment that Ada, a young ward of the courts, is a "child of the Universe". Mr. Jarndyce, with whom she lives, responds to his friend that he believes the Universe makes a rather indifferent parent. I agree. Not much love displayed there. At least none that I have ever discovered. No messages have ever arrived from it, no books to guide, no relationships developed, no intelligent communication whatsoever. What kind of parent is that? What kind of benefactor can the Universe ever prove to be?

I'm so glad that "God so loved the world that He gave His only Son" (John 3:16). Thank the Lord that He has provided us with a Book of instructions on how to become part of His family, how to grow in Him, how to receive all His benefits and blessings, how to prepare for eternity before it's too late. Praise God that He is a true Father to His children, that He loves us dearly, that He has planned our future with our good in mind, that He continues to communicate with His people and build relationships with us.

The Universe? I think not. As Joshua said, "Choose you this day whom ye will serve...As for me and my house, we will serve the LORD" (Joshua 24:15). And I say, "AMEN!"

JUST SAY "GOOD RIDDANCE!" FOR HEALTHY LIVING

Has pain from the past
Become a great grievance?
Just give it to God,
And then say, "Good riddance!"

Is your grieving and sorrow
Too heavy to bear?
Give it over to Jesus,
And then leave it there.

Are your duties so many
They've become an encumbrance?
Turn it over to Him
And then say, "Good riddance!"

Do you struggle with life?
Do you question and fret?
Remember the Saviour
Will never forget.

Does life in the present
Seem beyond endurance?
Give it over to Him
And then say, "Good riddance!"

Stop carrying your load;
Unburden your soul.
Let the Lord Jesus Christ
Take over the whole.

Lay it all at His feet
And walk in obedience.
Let Jesus take charge
And just say, "Good riddance!"

This, I grant, is not the best poetry in the world, but I wanted to make a point in a poetic way. We so often carry our burdens, allow sorrow to weigh us down, try to "get on with life" without dealing with pain from the past and struggles in the present. It doesn't work. They always come back to "haunt" us, to sidetrack us and sometimes derail us. The best way to deal with these things is to take them to the Lord in prayer, tell Him all about how you feel, let go of the whole and leave it there. Then shout out, "Good riddance!"

We don't need to carry these things in our own strength. Jesus has promised to be our Burden-Bearer, our Guide, our Provider, our Comfort, our Hiding Place, our Deliverer, our Strong Tower, a Father to the fatherless and a Husband to the widow. He wants us to surrender everything to Him so that He can have full control of our lives and be free to lead us into our destiny.

When we have learned to leave it all with Him, there is good reason to shout out, "Good riddance!" It brings freedom, joy, a lightness of spirit that helps us go through all the trials that life brings. The Lord will not give us more than we can handle, but we have the choice of whether to take on burdens of our own or to take His yoke which is easy, His burden which is light. This is the way to healthy living physically, emotionally, mentally, spiritually and relationally. Just dump it all on Jesus and rid yourself of an unnecessary weight.

Yes, I'm giving you a push here. Come on, you can do it! It's time! Let me hear you shout it out! "Good riddance!"