Daily Verse: Mark 14:34-36

“My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death,” he said to them. “Stay here and keep watch.” Going a little farther, he fell to the ground and prayed that if possible the hour might pass from him. “Abba,[f] Father,” he said, “everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.”
 

When we endure certain challenges in life, we tend to gravitate to those that have walked the same or similar path. If we defeated cancer, we tend to gravitate to those that did the same and understand the battle. If we dealt with a loss of employment and financial struggle, we tend to find solace in those that fought the same fight. If we struggled with some form of abusive addiction, we find a companionship in those that faced the same mountain and rose victorious. It’s as if a brotherhood is formed, a bond, with those that understand the obstacle and what it took to overcome. Perhaps this is one of the reasons that Jesus is so compelling. When he came to this world, he walked the same earth that we walk and breathed the same air that we breath. He experienced what it was like feel joy and sorrow…pain and comfort…satisfaction and frustration. He understands what we are going through and what the struggle feels like. He is not a God that simply sits on high and observes his people. No, he came down and got his hands dirty in the very broken world that we live in. Perhaps because of his life in this world, we have this connection…this bond…this brotherhood. We have a friend, a companion, and a Savior that can empathize with us. So when we find ourselves knee deep in the mix, we can turn to the Lord and know that he understands what we are experiencing. But it’s not that he can simply relate. Nope, he takes it a step further. He actually meets us where we are and walks the walk with us…today, step for step…until we arrive at the other side. So no matter what challenge greets us today, know that the living God understands what it feels like, and stands ready to walk the path with us. To God be the glory!