Yesterday I received a message in an envelope.

 

I know that doesn’t seem like an earth shattering statement.

 

Thousands of people probably opened their mailbox yesterday and received a message in an envelope. 

 

Maybe you were one of them.

 

My envelope and message, however, were sent from heaven.

 

I know.

 

I have gone from making a statement that wasn’t earth shattering to making one that is heaven shaped. 

 

Let me explain.

 

Life has thrown one curveball after another at our family recently.

 

Mostly financial.

 

Mostly vehicle related.

 

We keep swinging and missing.

 

It’s been overwhelming.

 

We prayed and it was like heaven was silent.

 

I have had doubts.

 

Not in God.

 

In myself.

 

As a husband.

 

A daddy.

 

A provider.

 

“The fact that Satan is working against you just means you are doing something right,” others said.

 

“Or maybe you have done something wrong,” I said to myself.

 

I have been hearing that voice a lot.

 

My voice of condemnation and failure.

 

Yet I never stopped using my voice to cry out to the Lord.

 

Help.

 

Help me.

 

Help us.

 

Then the message in the envelope arrived.

 

A man came to the church I pastor. 

 

He isn’t a member.

 

I had met him a few years ago in passing.

 

“May I have a few seconds of your time,” he asked.

 

“Of course,” I said as we walked the few steps down the hall to my office. 

 

Once inside he handed me a bank envelope and said, “the Lord told me to give this to you.”

 

“To me,” I questioned.

 

“Yes,” to you he said matter-of-factly. “Not to the church but to you.”

 

I started crying.

 

I gave him a hug and simply said, “we have been going through a rough time.”

 

He stated once again that his presence there was simply an act of obedience  and that the Lord had blessed him.

 

He then asked, “what does this mean to you?”

 

It’s a reminder God’s got me,” I said. “He knows what we’re going through.”

 

I thanked him for being used by the Lord and he left.

 

He left me with a message in an envelope.

 

A reminder.

 

A reminder that came to me again in a text message as I was writing this. 

 

“You’ve been carrying so much. You’re doing your best and you’re doing it all while trying to take care of those you love. Here is a little reminder that you are being carried through what you are having to carry. You have a Father that sees your dedication and takes not of your effort. Keep going. You are loved.”

 

Heaven is listening.

 

The Lord is working to provide.

 

Yesterday heaven touched earth.

 

I received a message in an envelope.

 

All of us have moments when life becomes overwhelming and we’re afraid because it feel like we are drowning. During these overwhelming moments of life it’s important to know that we have a promise to anchor our soul.

Isaiah 43:2 says, “When you go through deep water, I will be with you. When you cross dangerous rivers, you will not drown.” This powerful scripture is a promise from God, a reminder that we are never alone in our struggles. Jesus is our lifeguard, watching over us in the deep waters of life that threaten to pull us under.

If a job loss, broken relationship, health problem or something else has got you overwhelmed to the point of giving up then look up. Jesus is reaching out to you. Listen up. Jesus is calling out to you.

“I’m here with you”, Jesus says. “I’m not going to let you go under.”

Jesus doesn’t just sit on the shore, watching and waiting. He is in the deep water with us to pull us to safety.

Jesus is our Lifeguard.

Jesus being our lifeguard means that we don’t have to face life’s challenges alone. His love and grace surround us, giving us the courage to keep swimming even when we feel like we can’t go on. He sees us, He knows our struggles, and He’s there to rescue us.

So, if you’re feeling like you’re drowning today, remember Isaiah 43:2. Remember that you have a lifeguard who is always by your side, ready to save you. Trust in Jesus, lean on Him, and let His love carry you through the waves. You are never alone; He is always with you, guiding you to the safety of His embrace.