It isn’t ‘just life.’
It isn’t ‘just the way things go sometimes’. It isn’t ‘just heartbreaking’. It isn’t ‘just this broken world’.
Well, honestly, it IS all those things, but not JUST those things! It’s so very much more! Take a look at Calvery.
All that heartbreak, all that pain, all those aching questions. It wasn’t a surprise to Jesus that He would die. It didn’t take Him off guard when wicked men fulfilled prophecy and whipped Him and took His clothing and killed Him. It was horribly heartbreakingly sad.
But life was not out of control. I’m sure it seemed like it was to Jesus’ mother. I’m sure she wanted to stop time and rescue Him from the worst nightmare she was forced to watch unfold.
She couldn’t stop it. She couldn’t take the suffering or the weight of the world away from Him. Did she understand that she was the one being rescued while her entire heart was breaking?
He saved others by NOT saving Himself. He brought hope by submitting to the worst pain and bearing the sins of the world.
Recently, I have been reading Next Door Saviour by Max Lucado. His chapter on Jesus’ death brings out this glorious truth in much more detail. The bad things that happened to Jesus? They didn’t blindside Him. The wicked men that hurt Him with words and spikes and spears? Even their wickedness was used to fulfill prophecy.
God was still in control, when the entire world seemed to be spinning out of control. It didn’t make any more sense to the disciples then our own tails pins in life do to us. Hurt sends us reeling. Terrists rip apart families and horrendous things happen every day in this broken world. We are touched by the ooze of sadness and hurt and grief. It colors our minds and messes deeply with our emotions.
It makes us gaze into the face of death and know we are helpless against it. My friend, your pain is not too much for Jesus!
Just remember that glorious day, three days later, when the tomb ripped open. When the angel appeared. When the Jesus who had cried, “It is finished,” spoke again.
Those life giving words,
” Greetings.” ( it’s root word means Joy! And hints at Peace)
“Go. And tell my brothers. ”
I think He wants us to know, just as He wanted them to know…..
There was LIFE!
There was a whole world of hope about to open before their eyes. There was new life, new perspective, healing. There was a plan. The sadness would not win.
(Compiments of Michelle Beachy photography.)
It gives me hope. I do not understand why there is pain and death and suffering. But I know one thing…..it doesn’t blindside my Father. And as long as He’s not blindsided, He’s still in control. He is Always good. Always. He cannot change that ALWAYS GOOD. Ever.
I praise God with Paul, ” But thank God! He gives us victory over….death through our Lord Jesus Christ! So my dear brothers and sisters, be strong and immovable! …..for you know that nothing you do for The Lord is ever useless! (1Cor. 15)
Wading through pain, holding a dying hand, listening to a heart break, loving when life doesn’t make sense, it is not useless!!
“I will not cause pain without allowing something new to be born,” says The Lord.” Isaiah 66:9
Hold onto hope, my friend! Embrace that resurrection Son in your heart.
Come alive. Breathe in deep and slow. Dare to embrace your pain and feel the warmth of His promise.
Wildflower Muse 