Friday, January 21, 2011

To Those Suffering Loss

To those suffering loss, in whatever its form (the loss of an infant, a child, a spouse, a friend, a family member) hold to the hope found in Christ. Our loss is not overlooked by our God. He hears our every fear and gathers each tear. Do not think for a moment that these things are not felt by our father. Jesus chose to step into humanity for the cause of drawing us close. His walk in human flesh brought with it the fullest range of emotions. He, too has experienced deep sorrow, anguish of soul, desperation, frustration, disappointment, anger, and hurt. He wept with His friends at Lazarus’ death. Although He knew in His infinite wisdom the plan – he felt the sorrow of His friends – he understood the impact of human loss. In His most desperate hour as the crucifixion drew near Jesus departed with His closest friends to pray. (This account can be found in all the gospels). Imagine His disappointment when he found His friends sleeping and the increasing frustration as He repeatedly asked them if they could not stay awake even one hour to pray with him. Bent in that garden our Savior came face to face with a tidal wave of human emotions – they overcame him like a tsunami turning his world upside down. There in that garden he cried out in his humanity to his Father. Notice that the father sent a comforter – an angel – to minister to his son. Jesus, wept even harder in the comfort of that angel. God does not expect us to be super Christians, clinging to religious beliefs, or doing the right actions, or saying the right churchy words. No - our father wishes for us to come just as Jesus and just lay it all out – to hold nothing back. There in that moment when we are fully exposed, when we are broken before the Lord – surrendered to His will – He will comfort us. Those things we hoped for may not come about, circumstances may not change, we may not be delivered out of the storm or lifted from the valley to the mountain top – but we are delivered into the perfect place of His grace and love. This encounter with the God of the universe will demand a choice. I like how it is stated in I Kings 18:21 “How long will you falter between two opinions…” and in Joshua 24 “…..choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve” - - we must decide if we will surrender to His will – who we will serve. Will we follow His plan, even in the suffering? Will we choose His way and face our storms holding His hands? Will we walk this road not held in check by the worlds standards, religious expectations, or our own self-inflicted standards? I assure you that the worlds standards would not have allowed for the God in flesh to cry out as he did, but Jesus did not care – he approached His father in honesty and in all his brokenness. Because of this Jesus was lifted up, encouraged and able to fully surrender to the will of God. Choose this day what you will surrender to – and take comfort in the arms that are wide open – see the face of a Father who loves you more than anything else. Take courage in the one who is able to deliver you!
Many times over in our lives we may be required to walk in the valley. Let the God of the Universe, the Lover of your soul take your suffering and make it something more beautiful. Cling to the tragic beauty found in the cross – the ultimate act of suffering and sorrow that brought you into the courts of praise before a loving, mighty God. Remember Grace.

No comments:

Post a Comment