I know a couple who have just had their third miscarriage. In two of those painful losses, they’ve held a perfectly formed, lifeless little body in their hands. While there’s much light in this world—beauty, goodness, joy—there are also the shadows of sadness, evil, and suffering.
Sometimes we wonder where God is in the midst of our pain.
But look at the people to whom Jesus appeared after His resurrection. Mary Magdalene stood before a cold, empty tomb on Easter Sunday (John 20:11). She was weak with grief. The horror of witnessing the crucifixion of the innocent Man she loved was made worse by the apparent theft of His body from the grave (John 20:2).
Cleopas, walking along the Emmaus road with his friend, was disappointed and confused (Luke 24:13-32). The One he believed would liberate the Jews from their enemies had been crucified (Luke 24:21).
Peter, fishing with his friends, felt bewildered by all that had happened since Jesus’ crucifixion (John 21:1-3). He also felt ashamed. For he had declared that he would follow Jesus anywhere but ended up denying his Lord three times (John 18:17,25-27).
Thomas, sitting with the disciples, was filled with doubt—wondering if it was really true that Jesus would live again (John 20:24-25).
Mary, Cleopas, Peter, Thomas—all of them in the shadows. And that’s where Jesus met them. Soon Mary and Cleopas saw Jesus with their own eyes and their grief and disappointment disappeared (Luke 24:30-32; John 20:12-16). Soon Peter saw Jesus and had his shame removed (John 21:7,15-19). Soon Thomas saw Jesus and had his doubts dispelled (John 20:26-28).
Life’s shadow moments can cause us to doubt God’s goodness or even His existence. Instead, may they draw us closer to Him.
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: Exodus 6:1-13
More:
Read Job 42:5 and reflect on his words after he experienced God in his pain.
Next:
How can pain help us to know God better? How have you seen God work through someone’s suffering?
Roxanne Robbins on February 5, 2014 at 6:09 am
grief and disappointment disappear
shame removed
doubts dispelled
…Thank you for reminding us, Sheridan, what Christ did and does for us.
Sheridan Voysey on February 5, 2014 at 8:32 am
Thanks Roxanne. Meeting Him in the ‘shadow moments’ is just so important, even if it can take a while to ‘see’ Him.
Gary Shultz on February 5, 2014 at 7:23 am
The treasure of peace from pain and perplexity.
Tom Felten on February 5, 2014 at 9:39 am
Sheridan, I’m reminded of what Paul heard from the Lord: “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness” (2 Corinthians 12:9). I’ve found that it’s often in the shadow moments, when suffering has caused us to be brought low, that God provides us with a high and clearer view of the riches we have in Him!