Know Him by Suffering

    The book, Mimosa, by Amy Carmichael is a stunning true story of an Indian woman who spent one afternoon with Christians as a young girl, then went away convinced she must serve their God. Through grief and heartache, disdained by friends and family, she spent the next twenty years striving to do this alone. She knew no other Christians. She did not know how to read. She was led strictly by the Spirit of the One whom she loved, and who loved her.
    After years had passed, she was reunited with her sister who had lived among Christians for many years. As she looked over her sister’s shelves of books and Bibles, Mimosa said simply, “You know Him by learning, but I know Him by suffering.”
    I was instantly struck by the beauty of this thought. To know Him by suffering! We can learn ever so much of the doctrines, the guidelines, the passages of Scripture, but we must be willing to know Him by suffering.
    Suffering takes many forms. It is doubtful that one can live life entirely free of it. For some, suffering is the loss of a loved one. For another, it is an illness that disrupts life. There are those who hold suffering to be the loss of a job, the lack of a partner, the inability to have their own children. Perhaps suffering is sometimes a struggle that takes place in one’s own mind—the doubts and fears, the evil whispers in one’s ear that life is not worth living. But the form of suffering is not so important as what one does with the suffering.
    When the way looks dark, what can one do, but “draw night to God?” (James 4:8) Oh, there is another option. We can turn away from Him, leave Him standing with hands outstretched, alone, and walk toward the well-worn way where the Evil One has promised life shall be easier, with less suffering. But what many fail to understand is that though the way may be smoother, the tears do not cease falling. The pain does not dissipate—it is only dulled by the distractions at hand.
    Yet if we draw nigh to God, turn to those outstretched hands, we are promised that “…God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes…” (Revelations 21:4a) and “When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee…” (Isaiah 43:2a). What a beautiful picture of Love in suffering, and what a magnificent opportunity to draw nearer, to learn more of our Heavenly Father!
    Although our human hearts quake at the thought of suffering, the spiritual man can find victory and hope even in the darkest valley. As Paul wrote in Romans 5:3-5, “And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope: And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.”
    Whatever suffering you are experiencing in your life today, the scripture says to glory. Praise Him! Thank Him, even when it looks like everything is going wrong. When the crops are failing, thank him for your family. When a dear one passes, praise Him for the witness they left behind. While dreams are crumbling around you, turn a grateful heart toward the One who sends a song in the night, a message from a friend, a beautiful sunset.
    Easy words, yes. The Father understands how we struggle to put it in practice. But strive to do so. Turn toward Him, not away from Him. Lean into His love, let Him dry your tears, and learn to know and love Him more, even—no, especially— in the depths of suffering.

    Someday “…there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.” (Revelation 21:4b) And we will all stand together, amazed at the One whose Love has brought us safely Home.

Mimosa is not a long book (147 pages), but it is well worth your time. To give you an idea of the age group it is appropriate for, I would just say that the story itself is simple, suitable for lower to middle-grade children, although the wording may not always be easy for them to understand.

Easter Appearances

    Shadows shrouded the garden in the wee hours of morning. There were hesitant footsteps on the way to a tomb. Voices whispered in the dewy morning, sorrowful, yet determined to perform this last act of honor. Then fear at the sight of angels in the tomb, and finally a quiet voice, "Mary."
    In the uncertain gloom of a dingy house, men were gathered pondering the strange happenings. In startled amazement, they saw their Leader appear among them. One, in doubt, demanded to see the imprints of nails in order to believe He was real. Then came the cry of wonder, "My Lord and my God!"
    Along the Emmaus Road, two walked together, speaking of all that had happened. In sorrow, they pondered what the future held. They welcomed a stranger who wished to travel with them. As they sat together to eat, the Stranger blessed the humble meal, and the two looked at each other, eyes bright in recognition. "Did our heart not burn within us?" 
   The story of Easter is just as relevant today as it was many years ago. Sometimes, we, too, feel all hope is gone. We struggle to believe, and sometimes don't recognize the very One we long for as He waits for us to see His plan for our lives.
    Shadows rise before us, sorrow makes the way we travel look unbearably dark. Perhaps it is the loss of a loved one, the disappointment of a shattered dream, or the disaster of a broken relationship. None of our despair is lost upon the Savior as He waits for us to look to Him. And in the stillness of our despair He speaks my name. He speaks yours. And in the sound of that gentle voice, Hope once more springs to life.
    In the gloom of our own doubts and fears, we may wonder if it is even possible to believe. Can we have faith that the gift of Saving Blood was for me, personally? Often we find through the words of a song or the faithful lines of the Bible, a nail-scarred hand is presented to us, and we find the courage to believe, crying out in shame at our doubtfulness and wonder at His love, "My Lord and my God!"
    We walk together as Brothers and Sisters, pondering often what the future will hold. We search for direction, and beg that our hearts be united in spirit. So many times as we sit together, there comes a moment, a stillness about us, and we know. We know He is there, the future is not hopeless, and we gaze at one another in awe, for have our hearts not burned within us?
    This Easter, may we again thank and praise our Father for a love that allowed His spotless Son to become the sacrifice for a hopeless people. May we rejoice at the wonder of an open tomb, reach for His hand and feel the wound that we may grasp the wonder of the story, and feel our spirits burn within as we attend the morning worship where hearts unite in awe at the sacrifice that allows Love a place to live today, and every day until our King returns.
    Wishing you each the Love and Wonder of Easter!