Life is hard. We can face hardship and it leaves us wondering where is God. We can feel like God is distant or mad at us. Life can leave us empty. We can pursue so many things like promotions, big boy toys, making our family Instagram-worthy, and pulling our kids into a ton of activities. All those things are fine, but we often think they will fill our lives leaving us busy, tired, worn out, or empty. There has to be something more.

In Romans 5, Paul writes about the history of Adam to Christ. Adam was the first to sin and this sinful nature has been passed down like a bad heritage to all of us. But God is pursuing us and making way for us to be restored:

Romans 5:8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

One man's disobedience began the curse of sin and death. One man's obedience changed everything on the cross. Now one step of faith can change everything for our story.

In the story of God and Us, we need to realize that the cross and resurrection are the climax of the story and Jesus is the main character. When we pursue other things as the main thing when we put our hope into other things to satisfy our lives,  or when we make ourselves the main character, life can feel empty because we were made in the image of God created to walk with Him. If we shift our perspective and put our hope in Christ, then no matter what life throws at us, we can still have hope.  

Romans 5:3 Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.

Even in our struggles, God is there pursuing us. He can give you the strength to persevere. He can build you up from the inside out. He can give you hope even in hopeless situations. He wants to pour out His love to fill your life. In the suffering, don't believe the lie that God doesn't care or that He isn't near. He is the one who demonstrated His love even when we didn't care. He is the one who wants to restore you with grace and
hope.

Romans 5:21 So that, just as sin reigned in death, so also grace might reign through righteousness to bring eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

For more insight, check out this message from our series The Story of God & Us.