By Robin Allen
During holiday seasons, many find themselves feeling alone and abandoned, forgotten and hopeless. The suicide rate is always highest during that time of year. The loss of a loved one is heightened, regrets plague our minds. Questions we can’t answer and answers we can’t understand, lead us to despair. Our fear grows as we look towards the future. Selfishly, even I have asked God to just take me out of this world so that I can be with Him, but He says, “Not yet.”
In the Lewis Carroll Christmas classic, he wrote of Mr. Scrooge being visited by three spirits, the Ghost of Christmas past, present, and future. I believe that we, as well, have these same “ghosts” haunt us. We long for the simple Christmas holidays of our youth. I look back in time when Christmas brought excitement and expectation. Dreaming under the tree of what Santa might bring. Then as a young woman in love, and finally the wonder in my own children’s eyes. But, I also think of my mother, who died when I was fifteen and my father when I was twenty. I remember the devastating feeling of abandonment, and being thrust into the role of adult. One Christmas I am waiting on Santa, the next I find myself taking on the role.
After thirty years my marriage has ended. I am faced with holidays alone. I have been richly blessed with children, siblings and friends; but, the children are grown, my family is separated by miles, and the holiday spirit is allusive. I am unemployed, living in someone else’s home. Today I feel very useless. I question myself, my choices and wonder “how did I get here”. I did all the right things. I was a good girl, went to church, taught Bible classes, studied my Bible, reared my children in the church, worked, and made a home. Yet, my life is not turning out the way I thought it was supposed to. Then I think of my future. I am here, what’s next? The fear of uncertainty causes me to turn to what I know is certain, My Father and to His words of hope, assurance, and purpose.
Before Jesus made His final entry into Jerusalem, He sat down with His apostles. The men He had hand-picked, His friends. He began to prepare them for the lose and abandonment they would feel after His death and give them hope. He begins with comfort, “Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me” He gives them hope for the future, “In My Father’s house are many dwelling places…I go to prepare a place for you…that where I am, there you may be also” (John 14:2-3). Jesus gives them assurance, “And you know the way…I am the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:1-6).
Jesus knew what He would suffer. He was human. He was tempted. He was betrayed and alone. Even our Lord and Savior understood abandonment. Suspended between heaven and earth, He cried, “My God, My God, why hast thou forsaken Me?” (Mark 15:34). But, praise be to God, Jesus arose and now sits at the right hand of God. He has overcome the world. He promised that He will never desert or forsake us. ‘The Lord is my Helper, I will not be afraid…Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, yes, and forever.” (Hebrews 13:5-8).
Paul knew from his own life experiences what it was like to loose his wealth, community standing, and ultimately his life. Certainly he did not expect to be the one in prison awaiting execution. The day he held the coats at Stephen’s stoning his future looked bright but Jesus had a different path in mind. So, forgetting the past, Paul learned that whatever state he was in, to be content, as he pressed on toward the mark. Remembering the promises made to me by God through Christ, I, too, will press on toward the goal, learning the lessons of life and having the hope of heaven in my heart. Putting my “hands to the plow” and keeping my sights ahead, not looking back. I will say, “This is the day that the Lord has made.”
