Lord Jesus, Take Me Now

I’ve said, “Lord Jesus, take me now!” jokingly, yes, but also in all seriousness.  It’s because I look around, look at my circumstances, or look at myself and think of how much better heaven would be. 

Unraveling marriages.  Cancer.  Broken families.  Homelessness.  Physical abuse.  Complete poverty.  Addictions.  Mental disorders.  Insecurities.  Theft.  Murder.  Pride.  Discouragement.  Personal masks. 

The list of disgustingness goes on.

This isn’t how life is supposed to be!  I’ve been made especially aware of this in the past few days.  It makes me angry and frustrated.  I want to be in heaven with Jesus and be done with it.  I want it to stop but can only do so much to soften the blows or avoid the traumas.  Yet, I know that I’m [still] on earth to accomplish things for God and that I am nothing a part from God.

I can stand next to my hurting family and friends to shoulder some of the pain.  I can lend an ear, provide a much-needed hug, or give encouragement until I’m parched and out of words.  Yet, it doesn’t really matter unless I believe that God has something better in stored, that He will redeem.

Without believing that God didn’t intend for life to be the way it is on earth, that His plan to save us was through His Son, and that Jesus will come again to bring us home and to be with Him, what do we have?

Life isn’t easy, and it’s a daily choice to believe God.  I was in the habit of asking myself, “What are you going to believe today?” before I started every day.  I would say things like, “I believe God is good” or “I believe God has a plan.”  Now I will add, “I believe God will redeem.”

My hope is in God.  He fulfills His promises.  It may look differently than what we think it will be like and it may happen on a different timeline than we want, but God’s promises come to fruition.  He might redeem marriages, for instance, within months yet might not redeem someone from an addiction in this lifetime.  

Until I truly am called home, I want to be strong in the Lord for when things don’t make sense to me, for when pain comes that seems almost unbearable, and even for when I struggle with my faith. 

I also have to remind myself that we live in a sinful, fallen world and are depraved people.  

We need a Savior.

The following is a David Crowder song that I’ve heard several times and think is fitting:

Come out of sadness 


From wherever you’ve been


Come broken hearted


Let rescue begin


Come find your mercy


Oh sinner come kneel


Earth has no sorrow


That heaven can’t heal


Earth has no sorrow


That heaven can’t heal



So lay down your burdens


Lay down your shame


All who are broken


Lift up your face


Oh wanderer come home


You’re not too far


So lay down your hurt


Lay down your heart


Come as you are



There’s hope for the hopeless


And all those who’ve strayed


Come sit at the table


Come taste the grace


There’s rest for the weary


Rest that endures


Earth has no sorrow


That heaven can’t cure



So lay down your burdens


Lay down your shame


All who are broken


Lift up your face


Oh wanderer come home


You’re not too far


So lay down your hurt


Lay down your heart


Come as you are


Come as you are


Fall in his arms 


Come as you are


There’s joy for the morning


Oh sinner be still


Earth has no sorrow 


That heaven can’t heal


Earth has no sorrow 


That heaven can’t heal



So lay down your burdens


Lay down your shame


All who are broken


Lift up your face


Oh wanderer come home


You’re not too far


So lay down your hurt


Lay down your heart


Come as you are


Come as you are


Come as you are