Two weeks ago the city of Wichita was shocked by the tragic end of American Airlines flight 5342. Many in this city are carrying the painful grief of lost loved ones.
How do we make sense of that kind of grief? What do we do with it?
America’s favorite science loving influencer, Neil De Grasse Tyson gives us the answer of the scientific establishment: “The Universe is blind to our sorrows and indifferent to our pains. Have a nice day!”
Religion gives us another answer- “the wheels of kharma turn steadily.” In other words, we get what we deserve.
So in our suffering, we have a universe that is blind and indifferent or one that is angry with us. Not a lot of comfort in either of those views.
In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus gave us an entirely different picture.
“Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.” -Matthew 5:4
There is comfort for the grieving, because there is a comforter for the grieving.
The Biblical revelations of God – Father, Son and Holy Spirit contain a profound picture of compassion and comfort.
Lamentations tells us that God does not grieve the children of men ‘from his heart’. (3:33) The gospels shows us a God who saves and heals from the heart.
Because of the very nature of our God, grieving will soon be ended forever.
We must weep in our grieving, but we know that soon our weeping will be transformed into riotous laughing.
Because time is on the side of those who mourn in Christ.
and those the LORD has rescued will return. They will enter Zion with singing; everlasting joy will crown their heads. Gladness and joy will overtake them, and sorrow and sighing will flee away. -Isaiah 35:10
In your grieving, weep.
Draw near to God your comforter.
And you will find ministry flowing from your mourning.