He is Risen! Alleluia!
We are called to be an Easter people, living life joyfully, secure in the knowledge that Life has triumphed over Death, that there is a God who loves us so much that he suffered to the point of death for our sins. The deciding victory has been won.
And yet... still there is sin in the world, and suffering. Oh, is there suffering. Whether it is the loss of a child, or infertility, or cancer, or unemployment, or a million different things, there is suffering. How do we reconcile the world we live in with the knowledge that Christ has won? That is the question that so many of us struggle with; some it drives away; others hold close to their faith, even without answers. Julie has a great post about seeing our lives here on Earth as living under enemy occupation. The Father of Lies is still in the world, still seeking the ruin of souls; still we face temptation and the challenges of a fallen world.
But how do you live life joyfully when your heart is breaking? One way is to make yourself more aware of the small things in life that make a difference, like the Little Happies hosted by the other Stephanie at Blessed to Be. Another is to cling to those who love you, those who would listen and be willing to truly suffer with you. Yet another way is by not doing it - not forcing yourself to be grateful for the blessings that you have and simply accept that you are angry at God, that you don't begin to understand His plans or His timing. As so many have said, it's okay to be mad at God; He can take it. What He can't take is when you stop talking to him and turn away. He loves us enough to give us that choice: we can turn away, choose another path. That is what truly hurts Him. He wants us to turn to Him, to accept His will, to bear our crosses gracefully. But He knows our hearts and our flaws; He loves and forgives us despite them. If you come to him in tears, He will ask you "Woman, why are you weeping?" (John 20:15) And He will listen.
Love this post. It is something to turn to so often in grieving. To turn back to the bible and remember God's promises in the hard days!
ReplyDeleteGreat post! I loved this question you posed -- "How do we reconcile the world we live in with the knowledge that Christ has won?" It's such a difficult question to even begin to answer! I think acknowledging that the evil one is real and can really wreak havoc on you, your heart, your mind, and so on, it actually very helpful here.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the Little Happies shout out! I hope you'll join us sometime. But I totally get what you're saying about crying or yelling at God too. Sometimes that's the best we've got! It's comforting to know that even if it's not our finest moment, He's still listening. And loving us.