We never get to grieve without interruptions. Look at Jesus. Jesus goes into the wilderness to grieve his Cousin John. Huge crowds follow him. I do not know how this happened without Facebook or Instagram. I think a certain talkative disciple must have told everyone.
I would have screamed angry words and run deeper into thewilderness. I would have planted a sign which read, “LEAVE ME ALONE!!!” Jesus did not react to that want. The Bible says that he saw the great crowds and had compassion on them.
Jesus did not waste his sorrow!
Jesus did not waste his interruption!
Don’t waste your sorrow. Use your pain and sorrow as a gift to love and help others. I was in a home just after a young man had died. The tears and pain were deep and broken due to the suicide. One of the first people to show up was an elderly neighbor who had lost his son many years before due to suicide. He ministered to the family in a profound and beautiful way. His quiet, tearful, loving spirit was a balm of peace in an awful crisis.
Jesus did not react to that want. The Bible says that he saw the great crowds and had compassion on them.
After my sweet little grandson died shortly after birth, I needed a mission. I had been on a medical mission trip in Guatemala. They had asked for financial help to build a medical clinic. In memory of Gimli, I created a coloring book and sold them to get the needed funds. I needed a mission outlet and this was my holy ambition.
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our afflictions, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.” 2 Cor. 1:3
We need community, mission and a holy identity.
