Groaning

This past week Rob sat down with one of our pastors and talked about Rob’s perspective in all of this… and Rob was encouraged as our pastor put to words so many of Rob’s (and my) feelings… that he is angry at death – how dare it come so close to our family and lurk around the corner and stare us in the eye. Our hearts cry out “it shouldn’t be this way!” And what a true statement that is!

This is why the Bible talks about the world groaning as we await Jesus’ return to come and set things right. This waiting in anticipation is what Advent is all about… and here we are about to enter into the advent season on the calendar as we march toward Christmas. This year – how much more deeply will we understand this groaning and yearning for Jesus to make all things new and to tell death it has no power over God’s creation – over our little girl. 

And then yesterday I read this in Tim Keller’s book Walking with God through Pain and Suffering:

“The Sovereign God himself has come down into this world and has experienced its darkness. He has personally drunk the cup of its suffering down to the dregs. And he did it not to justify himself but to justify us, that is, to bear the suffering, death and curse for sin that we have earned. He takes the punishment upon himself so that someday he can return and end all evil without having to condemn and punish sin…

…See what this means? Yes, we do not know the reason God allows evil and suffering to continue, or why it is so random, but now at least we know what the reason is not. It cannot be that he does not love us. It cannot be that he does not care. He is so committed to our ultimate happiness that he was willing to plunge into the greatest depths of suffering himself. He understands us, he has been there, and he assures us that he has a plan to eventually wipe away every tear. Someone might say ‘But that’s only half an answer to the question ‘Why?’ Yes, but it is the half we need.” (pgs 120-121)

What a joy Christmas will be this year! To remember that Jesus has come. That he will come again! That God chose to come to earth in Jesus Christ and experience suffering and pain and loss and death – out of love for us. That truth makes our suffering a gift… because our suffering deepens our appreciation for what God has done, and helps us grab hold of God’s love and holiness more firmly. 

“Long lay the world in sin and error pining
Till he appeared and the soul felt its worth
A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn

Fall on your knees, oh, hear the angel voices
Oh, night divine, oh, night, when Christ was born
Oh, night divine, oh, night divine” (lyrics from O Holy Night)

Our weary family rejoices – for a new day is coming – when Christ will return!
love,
m