Grief has has paid an unwelcome and unexpected visit…

These past few years May, June and July have been tough months but going forward it seems they will be tougher. The grief that has now visited the lives of others in close proximity to me is the same grief that I thought I had won over and my heart is heavy.

My heart is heavy because grief steals and shakes your confidence. My heart is heavy because grief is long lasting and ironically never truly dies. My heart is heavy because it doesn’t take much to remember the grief that stopped my life for a time and now it has stopped the lives of others whom I love and care about. The stabbing sensation just above your stomach and below your chest that produces sobs of anguish and emotional upheaval has now made it’s entrance into the hearts of dear friends and I hurt for them.

Thankfully God has constantly reminded me that Jesus wasn’t immune from grief and sorrow. Isaiah 53:3 says, “He was despised and rejected by men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief; and as one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not.” (ESV emphasis mine). When Lazarus died Jesus wept. The Garden of Gethsemane was no picnic either. Jesus literally bled with grief and sorrow that night. I take comfort in the fact that our Saviour and the one who set the example for us in this race that we call life, did not ignore His grief, condemn His grief or live for His grief.

What a loving and gracious God to send us His Son to set the example that grief is okay and is a part of life here on this broken, messy and jacked up earth. God could have said grief was a sin and then where would be? Instead, He allowed Lazarus to die in order to bring glory to Himself through His Son Jesus’s grief.

I can rest in Jesus, trust Jesus, love Jesus and serve Jesus during my grief knowing that “For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” (2 Corinthians 5:21 ESV) and knowing that The Father and the Son both grieved over that event.

When I read the Bible I am struck over and over again by the stories of people who were called by God to suffer.

Think about it…

From Cover to Cover there are countless stories of God’s people suffering and then God using those times in ways they could never imagine. There is even a whole section of Hebrews that is devoted to those who were called to suffer and lived by faith. Their stories serve as a reminder to us that while we are here on earth, we will be called to suffer. The greatest example of all is of course Jesus, who suffered so much that he sweat drops of blood before anyone had ever laid a hand on Him. If you’ve ever wondered if God can use suffering for His glory and for the redemption of mankind, you need look no further than example of suffering in Jesus Christ.

Over the past few years we have all been through a lot. We’ve lost loved ones, we’ve lost battles with evil, we’ve seen a groaning earth rumble and shake cities to the ground and we’ve probably all experienced some difficult financial times as well. For while, when I was in the heat of battle, I became very blind to the suffering of others. I was so consumed and wrapped up in what was going on with me, that I forgot about my fellow man. Yes, the firestorm and trials were very real and the pain was legitimate, but I turned a blind eye to those enduring unspeakable pain and suffering… God did not intend for us to suffer that way.

Over the next few weeks I’m going to be contacting some of you and sharing some things that God has put on my heart. God has burdened me with a message that has changed my life. It’s the message of what the Gospel looks like when those of us who have been called to follow Christ are called to suffer. I’m also going to be contacting some of you and asking you to share your story about times when the Lord has called you to suffer. Some of you have been through some very difficult trials in your life and when I look at your life now, I can see how the Lord has shaped you a molded you because of that call to suffer.

If the Lord wills, the end result will be a resource, or set of resources, that will offer an alternative to our current view of what it means to suffer for the Lord. For now this project is entitled “The Call Of Suffering. The goal of these resources is to reshape and renew our minds when it comes to the topic of suffering in the life of a true follower of Christ. The reason for these resources is that during our times of suffering, it can be hard to understand our relationship with God. We fail to realize that a call to follow Christ, is a call of suffering in Christ. Today, most followers of Christ view suffering as unwanted, undeserved and unfair. However a careful and diligent study of God’s Word produces the constant theme of God calling His followers and even His only Son to suffer. In these resources, we’ll take a look at various instances in the Bible where God has called His people to suffer. We’ll also hear from and explore some present day examples of followers that God has called to suffer. Finally, we will fix our gaze on Jesus, who was called to suffer for the glory of His Father.

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted.” Hebrews 12:1-3 (ESV)

Over the next few weeks I look forward to meetings and phone conversations with you as we learn about The Call Of Suffering.

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I’m not sure that many of you have taken the time to read this awesome little book in the Old Testament. Yeah it has a funny name but there is nothing funny about this book. Habakkuk has only 3 Chapters and 56 verses but don’t let this little book fool you. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve needed to turn to this book for guidance and comfort.

• 1:1-3 – These first few verses set the tone for the opening part of this book. A truckload of questions about some of the toughest stuff to deal with: unanswered prayer, seeing the sinful go unpunished and experiencing injustice. The trick is that all those things are as a result of Habakkuk’s own people, Israel.
• God’s response is that He is working behind the scenes and is raising up the Chaldeans to deal with the sin of Habakkuk’s people.
• Wow, the list of stuff the Chaldeans have and can do would definitely make me crap my pants if I was a part of Israel. I wonder if Israel knew what was coming they’d repent? Oh wait… they did!
• 1:12 “Are you not from everlasting, O Lord my God, my Holy One? We shall not die.” I wonder if Habakkuk is reminding God or rminding himself inlight of what’ coming?
• I agree with Habakkuk Israel is bad, but the Chaldeans are worse. Sometimes it seems that the punishment is lopsided and doesn’t fit the crime.
• 2:1 “I will take my stand at my watchpost and station myself on the tower, and look out to see what he will say to me and what I answer concerning my complaint.” It’s so easy to throw up a prayer or even a complaint to the Lord and then not expectantly wait for an answer. I know that I’ve treated God like a suggestion box, just dropping in my complaints and never expecting a reply. But Habakkuk gets it right. He goes to the highest point and expectantly waits for God’s answer both spiritually and physically. He would have seen the army coming.
• God’s grace in the midst of Habakkuk’s questioning is a great comfort. God not only responds, but He’s detailed and precise.
• Five Woes to the Chaldeans and all those who act like them!
• 3:1 -  Habakkuk’s response to God’s reply is to worship. Despite the fact that judgment is coming for Israel’s sin, Habakkuk finds comfort in God’s ultimate judgment of those that carry out Israel’s sentence unjustly.
• 3:17-19 – Even though Habakkuk’s world is falling apart he is rejoicing in the Lord and in the Lord’s salvation. He even calls the Lord his strength. What an important reminder to be mindful of the Lord’s promises when the bottom falls out. I can honsetly say, it takes a lot of faith to do so.

I recently read through the entire book of Hebrews in one sitting. Hebrews was written by an unknown Author (although I’ve always leaned toward Apollos) and has 13 chapters and 303 verses. It was surprisingly easy to read through it and later found out from a good friend that it may have been a transcription of a sermon. Whatever the case may be, here are a few of the thoughts and questions I had as I was reading through.

• Jesus is more glorious and worthy of worship over every other created thing… period.
• The Psalms don’t just talk about Jesus they shout His essential attributes.
• 2:1 “There fore we must pay much closer attention to what we have hear, lest we drift away from it.” (ESV) This tore me up. I know I have been drifting big time because I haven’t paid much attention to the Word until recently.
• God has been making Himself know since the beginning.
• 2:8b “Now in putting everything in subjection to him, he left nothing outside his control.” I bet that includes the good the bad and the ugly. But what about me? Have I been in subjection to Him?
• 2:18 “For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.” Again, another verse that laid me out. I have no excuse for yielding to temptation.
• Houses are nice but it’s the builder who gets the glory. Hopefully I can just be a 2×4 for the Builder Jesus. He was a carpenter after all!
• 3:13 “But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called ‘today,’ that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.” I haven’t been doing a lot of exhorting lately, much less daily. Guess it’s time I shape up for my own benefit as well as the benefit of others.
• 4:12 “For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” Ouch. It seems that God’s Word is a big theme in this book. Guess the Lord knew I needed to be reminded of just how important His Word is.
• Jesus was tempted in every way… guess I’m not so special after all.
• Hard to tell the difference between good and evil if you’re not paying much attention the decisions you make and the situations you put yourself in.
• God swears by Himself… how awesome!
• I’ve always thought this Melchizedek dude was pretty interesting. A King, a Priest and he even gave a tenth of his loot to Abraham. Whatever the case, Jesus is still better.
• Although animal sacrifices had their place, they never fully took care of the problem of sin. That’s why Jesus had to come along and finish the job.
• 10:23-25 “Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.” Jesus is faithful, and we should be faithful to Him and to those whom He has seen fit to put in out path.
• 10:35-36 “Therefore do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what is promised.” It’s had to admit this, but I’m recovering my confidence not in this life, but in the promise of the life to come.
• Faith, faith and more faith. Everyone from the big names like Abraham and Moses to the small names like Jephthah and Rahab the bottom line was not their deeds, it was their faith.
• Hebrews 12:1-3 “Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, adn sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race tha tis set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfector of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself so that you may not grow weary or faithearted.” No matter what name was on the list in the hall of faith, they paled in comparison to the faith of Jesus. His example should give me the strength to keep fighting when I am weary from this every day battle of life.
• 12:12-13 “Therefore lift your drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees, and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be put out of joint, but rather be healed.” I know that my hands have drooped and my knees are weak. It is encouraging to know that the Bible has verses for people like me and for times like these in my life.
• The closing thoughts of this letter are so practical and so precise as to their instruction that you can’t just ignore the fact that inlight of all the soul searching the text was calling for, the persecription was looking toward those around you instead of yourself.

For the past 7 years September 11th has been a day that has caused many to pause and ponder the fragility of human life. As a nation we have never experienced grief of this magnitude since Pearl Harbor so many decades ago, still fresh in the minds of another generation. One day in the future, people of this generation will tell the next generation why this day was so pivotal in our lives. And, just as our generation did, they won’t understand it until the defining and pivotal moment comes in their lifetime.

What is so fascinating about a day like September 11th is the scale, the comprehensiveness and the universality of the grief it brought about.

First, almost 3,000 people died as a result of the direct attacks that day and over 3,000 more have given their lives in the ensuing war. That makes the total cost in human lives (from America alone) at over 6,000. Imagine for a moment if only two people knew each of the 6,000 people that have died and you have at least 18,000 that have died or were directly affected by those events. But the list doesn’t stop there. Each of those two people have a few friends and pretty soon the number of those who are only 1 person away from the tragedy has grown quite a bit. Add to that the number of people who saw the attacks, and have watched the coffins arrive live on TV and now you have millions of people that witnessed a traumatic life changing event. The scale of grief is overwhelming to think about.

Second, the grief takes on many shapes and fashions. There is the immediate grief caused by the death of a loved one. There is the empathetic grief that others feel toward those that are left behind. There is the fearful grief at the loss of our safety and security. There is the angry grief at the failure of leadership to prevent the attacks and their decision to implicate an innocent nation instead of getting the real bad guys. There is the survivors grief of those who escaped buildings, called in sick, missed flights or had a feeling to take a different route than normal. There is the spiritual grief for those that can’t piece together how a loving and caring God could allow such terrible things to happen to those He says He loves and to their families. There is the guilty grief that wishes they had said “I love you,” or had hugged someone or forgiven someone but never got the chance. There is the intellectual grief that causes people to crunch numbers and count statistics on how it was almost impossible for all the tumblers to fall into place and allow the devil himself to be unleashed. The comprehensiveness of the grief is also overwhelming to think about.

Third, all humans will face grief in its various and insidious forms. It may come in the form of cancer, or a hurricane, or a tornado or a weak levy, but most often it comes from you and me. That’s right everyone, look around, look in a mirror and you will find the main source of grief in all it’s gory glory. Mankind. If we’re not doing something to hurt ourselves, we’re probably doing something to hurt someone else. No one in this life can escape it from the moment they are conscious of themselves to the moment they take their last breath. All have tasted the grip of grief. All are shaped by it, most don’t understand it, some embrace it and few deny it. We all know what it’s like to loose someone, even if it is not death that separates us. Perhaps it’s time, perhaps it’s hurt perhaps it’s distance. Whatever it may be, we have all lost people we cared about. We also have felt the sting of defeat in the midst of a battle. Perhaps it’s a battle with a disease, perhaps it’s a battle with sin, perhaps it’s a battle with God. There is no way to overlook the battles we’ve all lost in one way or another. The universality of grief will always be overwhelming to think about.

So where does that leave us 7 years later?

7 years later we still grieve, 6,000 people are still dead and everyone has been changed by this one event for the rest of their lives here on earth. I can only think of one other event in history that has affected mankind in such a way. It is the eucatasrophe of the cross. Out of the grief, pain, loss and fear that came in the final moments of the cross, there came an event that turned a catasrophic event into a glorious moment of hope and strength for those that needed it the most. The Resurrection. From the rubble of a mountain shaped like a skull came the new, pure and glorified body of the One who had made it all to begin with. Such is the work that only someone like the God of the Bible can do. Only God can take the shattered and torn in heart, the broken and weary in faith, the lonely and grieving in spirit and bring about a sudden and complete reversal that undoes the power of grief and transforms it into joy. And only God can heal those who grieve.

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