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East Timor: “When all is Lost”

‘When All Is Lost’

This column is for those of you who have suffered ‘loss’. Life is often filled with devastating and tragic events. Sometime this loss comes by our own direct actions and at other times it comes from actions and events beyond our own control. However it comes, the pain and confusion is very real.

My wife Denise and I carried the cross into the devastated newly independent country of East Timor a number of years ago. It had been at war for years and the conflict was still active in many areas and turmoil was everywhere. United Nations troops were there along with Australian solders.

Buildings and lives were blown up. It was heart breaking to hear the stories and pain as people poured out their troubles and were looking for ways to get their lives in order and deal with the past, present and future. This had been a civil war with people turning against one another in a great blood bath.

What did that distant war have to do with you and I? It was like a reflection of the loss and pain that almost every one of you reading has at one time or another experienced. Something happened… at that moment you could hardly breathe… shock, then pain, then tears and life seemed spinning out of control. The loss seemed more than you could endure! Almost everything was shaken

The loss of a loved one, of lost love, love betrayed. The loss of a child during pregnancy or stillbirth, the loss of a loving mother, father, husband, wife, child, friend and etc. You report to your job and are greeted with a dismissal notice. You failed the exam, you drank too much and a person died in the auto crash. Suicide, a car crash, a terrorist bomb, an overdose! Stress and overload and a busy lifestyle that seems to never end. All seems hopeless. Some suffering is spoken of but for many the pain is covered in silence and a smile.

Some help in East Timor came in the form of the U. N. and Australia troops and aid. For you and I and every person on earth with shattered dreams, sin and failure the help comes at THE CROSS. See the scourged, beaten and battered Christ carrying the heavy wooden cross to the Place of the Scull, Calvary. See Him being nailed to the cross and then it lifted skyward. See the crown on thorns and nailed pierced Hands and Feet. Hear Jesus cry out “My God, My God, why have you forsaken Me” as He suffered, shed His Holy Sinless Blood for payment for our sins. “For God so LOVED the world that He gave His only begotten Son…!” See Jesus and hear Jesus: “Jerusalem, Jerusalem,…how often I wanted to gather your children together, the way a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing.” “When He (Jesus) approached Jerusalem. He saw the city and wept over it.” (Mark 15:34; John 3:16; Matt. 23:37; Luke 19:41

There is someone who can put your life back together, rather make it new and His Name is Jesus. He not only died but arose on the third day, ascended to the Father and lives forever more. Hear His call “Come to me, all you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble of heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” (Matt. 11:29)

A prayer you can pray; “Thank you God for loving me. Thank you Jesus for dying for my sins. Many things I do not understand but I do believe you live and love me. As best as I know how I repent of my sins and turn to you Jesus as my Savior and Lord of my life. Save me, heal me, give me new life, I want to follow you. Lead me in Your way. I forgive everyone. Lift my heavy load and give me peace and rest in my soul. I am not ashamed of You, Fill me with the Holy Spirit. Make be a witness for Jesus. In Jesus Name I pray.”

For me personally I have found the strong, loving arms of Jesus sufficient to meet my every need and lead me on through the toughest times. I fall into His mercy and trust in God’s sovereign will, power and grace.

I encourage you to get “The Cross” movie. It of course deals with my struggles and life but soon you realize the movie is not so much about me but it’s all about Jesus and how He saves, gives strength to the weary, delivers and calls us to missions that may seem to large to accomplish. It’s about His love and Presence in all life’s struggles and triumphs.

To see and read the story of the crosswalk in East Timor please click on the link below “Crosswalk Stories” Top Left

With our love and prayers for every person that reads this column.

Pilgrim followers of Jesus,

Arthur and Denise Blessitt,

Luke 18:1

Weeks ago I started with the letter A and will go to Z focusing on a nation or island group, and what I learned in that place. If you are looking for perfection then just read the Words of Jesus in the New Testament of the Bible. I’m only a pilgrim that has and is still on a journey with Jesus. He is constantly working on me like a potter does the clay. Welcome to the potter’s house!