ART & INSPIRATION BY PAUL & KATHY BOECHER

If we were to be distracted by every bit of news that comes our way; if our minds drift to thoughts of depression and anxiety; if our hope runs out; where do we turn. It’s easy for us to say that God has this, but we need to be involved in what He has. We need to pray – to communicate with the One who created the earth and all within the universe – to thank, praise and ask. I recall the picture of Jesus, knocking at the door. This image should stir positive thoughts for all of us. Jesus invites us to seek Him out. He tells us to pray incessantly. He wants to hear from us. He also promises that the door will always be opened. We will not be turned away.

This past week has been fraught with thoughts of nuclear war – destruction, death, fear, feelings of hopelessness. As I open my computer each morning to begin writing my blog, my eyes are quickly drawn to the horrors going on in this world. My head is swimming with what will happen to this planet in the next decade. I see headlines dealing with human trafficking, fraud, corruption, drug dependency, addictions of many kinds, people taking their own lives because they simply don’t want to be here anymore. Friends and family face difficult health issues, friends are involved in lifechanging relationships. Mental illness is at an all-time high. Children are fearful of attending schools and parents fear sending them. There is darkness everywhere. How do we step back into light when there seems to be none?

Still, there is always a glimmer of light. Darkness cannot survive when there is even the smallest speck of light. Think of the glory of God and how He shines upon each life on this planet. He is always available to us. We are not capable of changing the evil that erupts in so many areas of life, but we can rely on the One in charge to bring the light back into our dismal darkness.

Looking out my window today, I see a few small patches of remaining snow. There are also remnants of fallen leaves from last autumn and branches that have dried and purged themselves from their base. I could look at this scene as one of work that needs to be done to get it back to where it was before. I could wallow in self-pity at the thought of it. I could also look forward to the new growth that will soon spring through the ugliness and bring along with it – new life. A positive attitude takes a lot of positive thinking. In Christ alone, we have that truth engraved into our hearts. The power of God works through His Holy Spirit who is much more powerful than the ugliness of the evil one.

The watercolor painting of beautiful spring flowers reminds me that Paul has already experienced the true light of paradise. In this world there will be trouble. Remember that Jesus is not of this world. His light will endure through anything. Believe!