I LOOK TO YOU

How many of us have ever come to a crossroads; a turning point in our lives where we feel like enough is enough? A place where we feel like no one else understands what we are going through except me, myself, and I. For many, these crossroads have led to a point of no return spiritually, emotionally, and physically. On the contrary, these crossroads could be the opportunity for a touchdown or a comeback. In football one of the most common ways of scoring is by making a touchdown. This is where the offense has possession of the ball in the other team's end zone. Once in, they have the opportunity of scoring six points. Not only that, after making a touchdown, they are given a free play called a ‘’try.’’ This gives you the opportunity to score extra points. In essence, I have come to realize that life doesn’t end at a crossroads, and it doesn’t end when things don’t go according to plan. Furthermore, it doesn’t end when you are fired from your job when you have lost a loved one, or when your business collapses, etcetera. In fact, it's at this point where you can make the biggest turnaround. But how do you come back from a setback? The Grammy award-winning singer, Whitney Houston released her hit single, ‘’I Look To You’’ on August 28, 2009. The song written by R.Kelly has become one of her highest hit singles in the U.S. The song reflects the life of someone who has experienced some very dark times. Someone who is coming back from a setback. The Chorus states: I look to you/ I look to you/After all my strength is gone/In you I can be strong/ I look to you/I look to you/And when melodies are gone In you I hear a song/I look to you Like the song suggests, we have to look to Jesus Christ our Savior, comforter, and friend. He who is able to lift us up when we are down; to set our feet on a rock to stand. His name is Jesus the son of God. As the Psalmist states in Psalms 123: ‘’Behold, as the eyes of servants look unto the hand of their masters, and as the eyes of a maiden unto the hand of her mistress; so our eyes wait upon the LORD our God until he has mercy upon us.’’ The scripture shows an analogy of a servant and master/mistress relationship. The servant is submitted to the master/ mistress, and though they may be of the same gender; they are separated by class. However, it is the master/mistress’s primary responsibility to take care of the servant, though most times that is not the case. Ironically, we the saints are also servants. Except we are servants of God-who is the author and the finisher of our faith. The all-knowing God, the God who is able to save and to keep; our exceedingly great reward. So, unlike the servant who is not guaranteed any protection and security from his/her master/ mistress, we the saints of God have a lively hope that God will perform that which He has spoken. His plans are to give us peace and a future. The book of Jeremiah reminds us of God’s plans, ‘’For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. (Jeremiah 29:11). -Salome