The Journey Through Suffering
Today marks the beginning of Holy Week – walking, in remembrance, with Jesus as He journeyed to the cross and redemption. We know the way. It will take us, with Him, through deep sorrow and unimaginable suffering. We cannot help but long to rush ahead to the part where unspeakable joy takes the place of mourning, healing overshadows broken and hurting hearts, and death is swallowed up in glorious, victorious life. However we must take the path before us. There is no detour around the hard places. We only get to the miracle by pressing through.
We, each of us, are on a journey of our own. We don’t have to travel very far before we know it doesn’t always go the way we would like it to. We step into our ordinary Mondays with our plans tucked neatly into our hearts only to be met by Thursdays and Fridays filled with unexpected pain. The darkness closes in. We long for a way around, reminding God He has promised to be with us, to make all things work together for good.
We feel forsaken. With outstretched hands we take one faltering step into the darkness and are startled when His hands take hold of ours. Jesus is with us – always with us. He knows the way of suffering – the way His Father takes what was meant for evil and turns it into good. He whispers hope and peace into fear-filled hearts and promises all will be well.
All will be well. Jesus walked through the deep darkness of Holy Week for the joy set before Him. To those who stood at the foot of His cross, it looked as though evil had won. Daylight turned to darkness, the earth trembled under their feet and Jesus’ life slipped away.
But Sunday morning dawned and everything was made new.
“Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we’re in. Study how He did it. Because He never lost sight of where He was headed – that exhilarating finish in and with God – He could put up with anything along the way: Cross, shame, whatever. And now He’s there, in the place of honor, right alongside God. When you find yourself flagging in your faith, go over that story again, item by item, that long litany of hostility He plowed through. That will shoot adrenaline into your souls.” Hebrews 12:2 The Message
Blessed Easter Friends,
Linda
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What a powerful message, Linda. Yes, there are no shortcuts, even though we sometimes wish for them. It is good to know what God is with us through and in it all.
Blessed Easter to you and yours, sweet Linda.
I am convinced we only mature through suffering. It makes us wise.