A Post Easter Reflection | by Brent Woody

Isolation, fear, despair, Jesus, resurrection, hope, yesterday, today, forever.

Pamela and I serve women and men who have survived human trafficking. Tragically, miraculously, this moment in our world is a shadow of a survivor’s journey. Isolation, fear, despair.

Survivors experience unspeakable trauma, yet talk of a strange hidden hope in the midst of it all, some idea that there is something else, an unknown but other future, a voice saying, this isn’t all there is. Many come quickly to Jesus, knowing deeply (more deeply than I know) that it was His voice, His call, His heart, His love that walked beside them. Yesterday, today, and forever.

While embarrassed of my faith next to theirs, I am profoundly moved and shaken by what I see and hear. It’s like experiencing the resurrection everyday.

"While embarrassed of my faith next to theirs, I am profoundly moved and shaken by what I see and hear. It’s like experiencing the resurrection everyday."

"Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death? …No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us.

And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord."

Romans 8:35, 37-39

Jesus is not the cure for our time. He is a Savior.

In our fears for today, he dances over us. In our worries for tomorrow, he sings all around us. In our isolation, He is Emmanuel, with us always, never to be apart. Never.

Jesus is alive. Hope. Yesterday, today, forever.

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