As a little girl, I shared a mint-green room with my two younger sisters. Every night, we all played a game, "The Last Word."
What was the goal of the unspoken game? Easy. The last one to say "goodnight" was the winner. What were the rules? Simple. All is fair in love and war.
Just when I thought I'd have the last word and my eyes fluttered closed, a tiny "Good night" would chirp from the bottom bunk across the room.
Drat! I thought I'd won.
But never fear. I still could have the last word if I set my alarm for ten minutes from now and whispered it. Remember, there are no rules. Just win.
So night after night, we jockeyed for the "Last Word." Sometimes I won. Sometimes I lost.
Such is life.
Why in the world did we play this game as little children? I think we knew without understanding why.
The last word carries authority.
Have you ever felt so profoundly pessimistic about the future because, as far as you last knew, you figured it was all so utterly hopeless?
Yep, me too. Welcome to the planet Earth. It's like this fallen world has the last word in our hearts.
Or does it?
What would Jesus say about the Last Word game?
Jesus' last word about your earthly circumstances declares: Take courage, my precious one! I overcame this entire world. It's finished, my child. Death is defeated. You used to look to other people or situations to bring you life, but now, I am your life. I am your answer. I won't leave you. You have my Holy Spirit for your power. You don't have to drum it up. You'll be my witness that I bring life out of death. My words are true. I am coming quickly, so count on it.
And, what's more, I won't leave you here in this fallen world. I am coming quickly to bring you into the spiritual realm where your faith will be sight. You'll see me with your physical eyes. You'll see my presence, which has NEVER left you.
In the world, life leads to death. In the Spirit, death leads to life. Always. It's the upside-down kingdom.
And it is always found in a person—not a spiritual technique. It's not a self-help concept. Not a babble of words you must say right to get the desired result. Not a mystery to solve. Not a standard to keep.
It's in a person—Jesus Christ.
His presence is the last word for anything on this earth. So, listen to Jesus' words again, but this time, hear his encouragement whispered directly to you—wherever you are in life.
Jesus' last words allow me to see hope and confidently declare, "My big brother defeated the power of sin in my life. Death does not have to follow life. Life now follows death. I have the Holy Spirit's power. I can witness to that. My life is not over yet. It has just begun with the presence of my Jesus. He will never leave me. Ever."
The last word in your devastating circumstance...the last word in your fearsome health...the last word in your gut-wrenching sorrow...the last word in your despondent depression...the last word in your anger and unforgiveness...the last word in your unspeakable anxiety....the last word in ANYTHING in your life calls out with a promise of life coming from death.
It's the promise of the one who defeated hopelessness, promising to show up in your life. It's relentless companionship with one who will never forsake you. It's the godhead inside who proclaims. "I am with you always, even until the end of the age."
Unlike three little girls in a mint green bedroom, the Last Word is not game with Jesus. It's truth. And He doesn't whisper his last word at the last possible second. No. Instead, He boldly declares truth at every intersection of life.
His last word—the authority of Jesus Christ—always trumps ANYTHING in your story.
Can you believe Him?
His precious last word is always His . . .
Presence.
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Aleisha