This past week the glorious American flags all over town were flown at half mast, visual reminders that sometimes in life –horrific things happen. It reminded me of the solidarity –we all share with pain and grief –as a nation, when one family or city suffers. Our lives continue to move forward while 17 beautiful lives abruptly stopped, without warning. The things they struggled with – missing homework, toothpaste tubes that were crusty, jeans that were wrinkled, arguments over breakfast left undone , will no longer be an issue. One person directed traffic and now precious lives, once filled with potential are – gone.
Another news post told me of a respected college minister who lost his wife a year ago. He had been a non-drinker until this event. The reporter did not mention their years of service or sacrificial living but they did mention that an innocent young woman is now dead after a suspected DUI and car wreck. It is thought that the widowed minister is to blame. No one has called for all cars to be banned yet. No one has suggested that everyone stop drinking or that a political party is to be blamed in that incident. The college where he taught was mentioned and I would guess that multiple students will feel this loss.
We also got a phone call that a seasoned leader in another nation had grief, deep grief over his career and family. He chose suicide. No one has called for a ban of rope. No one has gone on the View in that case to suggest a particular political party is to blame. There must need to be a lot of money at stake or possibly more than one victim to get national coverage, although in that case I would contend that an entire nation became a victim. Multiple leaders will feel this loss. All may feel helpless.
I add to this list of tragedy’s a man that I cared about and respected has left his family and church ministry, deciding to go in the opposite direction. His longing for connection has caused him to fracture those who love him as he pursues truth “somewhere out there.” The ripple effect will cause doubt and discouragement but life will go on. His family and relatives will deeply feel the loss but there will be no vigil. Those he led will possibly question everything he taught them. No one will call the president or investigate what happened even though multiple people were “injured”.
In the darkness of all these events (school, college, nation, church and family) this week I was reminded of my Pentateuch professor Dr. Meyers. His class was at 8 am which always seemed so very ungodly to me. I often wondered if God really was awake that early. Now I wish I could have the luxury of those days back! The things I learned in that class have fortified me for many years. My mind wanders back to those lessons in times like these. I want to share that today in hopes that someone struggling will be strengthened. This is one of the quotes from that class:
The same sun that hardens clay, melts butter.
The same sun that hardens clay, melts butter. Same sun.
While I will never be as eloquent as our professor I want to share his timely words. He contrasted the hardness of Pharoah’s heart and the dedication of Moses. I also remember him preaching on the life of Joseph. Joseph had been ridiculed, mocked and his brothers even tried to murder him. He was sold out, ignored and forgotten. Joseph chose life. He was despised, overlooked and marginalized. Joseph chose life. No one cared about his loneliness, past or loss. He chose life. He had to get his love and support from foreigners in a foreign land. Joseph at every turn, chose life.
No one would have blamed Joseph (or at least those who knew his story and background) for going all Schwarzenegger on the folks. No one would have questioned if he went rogue as he had plenty of solid reasons to get revenge or at least throw out some snide comments once in a while. He had a lifetime to plot and plan. If he had gone ballistic when his brothers came it would have made for great television. But then, we would not have his example. The example of vindication and the sweetness of God using him to fortify a nation. We would not be able to see how God blesses those who leave the choice up to Him. We would not see the freedom of forgiveness or the power that comes from pain surrendered. That is quite the story! It’s one that kept the Israelites’ alive for centuries. It demonstrates the Deliverer.
God – taking a families mess and turning it into a message. God – taking an individual’s test and turning it into a testimony. God- re-purposing ones wounds and forming them into wisdom – wisdom for generations. Wow- God takes our crud, puts it in His crucible through the power of the cross and gives US a crown? What an exchange.
The same sun that melts butter, hardens clay. We choose how that sun affects us.
Death is vicious, it’s painful and cruel. It causes even the best to crumble. Grief is just twisted and sick and leaves an indelible mark on our souls. Left unresolved it blossoms into a poisonous orchard. Yielded to the Lord it springs forth the promises of Heaven.
How do we ban pain or bitterness?
Only a savior can remove that scourge, only a sanctifier can lift that stain.
In college, a friend recounted the story of a man that lost his whole family in a car wreck. The EMT couldn’t find the husband after they secured the scene. They looked around and this grieving, bloodied man was in the ditch with his hands raised to heaven worshipping. When they later asked him how he could do that he replied, “Because I’m thankful for the time I did have with my family and I wanted God to get ahold of my heart before there was a chance to let it get bitter.” “My thankfulness was not only for God’s sake but for me, to remind me of my purpose and His plan.” As this man’s family stood on the precipice of eternity what they would see was a man filled with grief for them –but also worship for His Lord. That beauty only comes from a heart postured to see God’s face. It is supernatural, holy, sacred. It’s the only thing I know of that can even put a dent in the cruelty and sorrow displayed this week. Worship refreshes our perspective.
That story unnerves me. It has guided me as I faced the deaths of my loved ones. “Lord don’t let grief or the enemy’s threats block my view of your plan and glory.”
I can find many scriptures to go with these words but sometimes life is not all tied up in a bow. Sometimes I forget what God promised or said. Sometimes I forget who the bad and good guys are and my role in life. Sometimes life is just flat out hazy and confusing.
Yes, life is cruel and people can be intolerable and hateful – even to the point of murder.
The same sun that hardens clay, melts butter.
Lord, melt us today.
When we face grief, unthinkable conditions or situations, mass casualties or minor disappointments help us to be like your people of old and — choose life, choose healing, choose the high road.
*If you are facing grief, anger, loneliness or any other HUGE thing affecting your emotions or spirit today, please reach out. There are options and at this point choices. Don’t choose a permanent solution for a temporary problem. Pray for change, pray for healing. The pain grows exponentially so push it back the other way. Please choose life today.
For those not in that category:
Pray for those who are! Introduce others to the only one who can bear burdens or truly lift pain. Extend some grace to those in grief. Show some love and support and rid yourself of all malice. Any common jerk can diagnose problems or analyze (judge) someone who is struggling – it’s the peacemakers that show up when there’s a need that make a difference. Blessed are those who bring that peace! Knock on doors, make phone calls, and send notes of encouragement but CHOOSE LIFE.
1 Peter 4:8 says, “Above all, keep loving one another earnestly (fervently which means boiling over, hot and increasing in speed), since love covers a multitude of sins.” Maybe the “heat” in your life (fervent love) will just melt someone a little faster along the way.
Praying for victims and their families today.
Praying for divine encounters with Wounders too.
Renae R. 2018