July 1, 2012: Fifth Sunday after Pentecost
2 Corinthians 8:7-15
Mark 5:21-43
In my work as an ICU chaplain, the question of why is there suffering and death often arises from the families with whom I work. Spouses, children, parents grieve inconsolably when they lose a loved one, and all I can do is acknowledge their tremendous grief and try to be with them in the midst of it, because I cannot take their sadness away. I do not attempt to answer the question of why is there suffering and death with our families – to do so would, I believe, trivialize their suffering, and places me in a position of understanding that which none of will understand until we, too, die.
The one thing I do believe, however, and that I am not afraid to tell families, is that God did not make suffering and death, and most especially, God does not delight in our grief. To believe that God created suffering and death is a direct contradiction of a God who loves us and desires fullness of life for us. Why would God give us the gifts of life and joy and then, capriciously and maliciously, stomp those very gifts out from under us? This kind of God is not the God in whom I trust, one who sustains me when I, too, am sorrowful, one who calls me to grow and love.
The Wisdom of Solomon from today’s readings reminds us of these very things, that “God did not make death, and [God] does not delight in the death of the living.” After all, Jesus wept when his friend Lazarus died, and Mark tells us in today’s gospel that Jesus brought back to life a little girl who had died. Scripture if full of examples of Jesus healing the sick, and tending to those who were suffering. These scripture stories point more to a God who desires wholeness and goodness for us, not illness and death. What if we chose to believe that God is with us when we suffer, and that God grieves right alongside us when we grieve?
The only way we can find out what God’s true desires are for us, “plans of fullness, not of harm” (Jeremiah 29:11) is if we take a chance to be in relationship with the God who created us and who loves us. Only when we learn to lean on God, and walk with God, can we discover anything about the nature of God, one who longs to give us a “future full of hope.” (Jeremiah 29:11). As we begin to trust in the God of fullness and life, we are sustained in the midst of our trials, and we are given the strength to keep on going. And as our faith in the One who loves us grows, we become a beacon of light to those who suffer, and we are witnesses to “the steadfast love of the Lord [that] never ceases.” (Lamentations 3:22).
Sally, I read your post (which, 5th time was a charm!) as I sit in a funeral line for the burial of a sweet little 4-year old boy, Landen Rush, whom God called home Friday. I hope to share your post today with his mother, Deon, who has shown unbelievable strength throughout the past 7 months. Her upcoming days, months and years will be met with sorrow, confusion and anger – but I pray tha she will also meet peace, comfort and happiness. I plan to share your site with her and encourage her to reach out to your comforting words. Thank you.
Lisa – Thanks for your response. I am so sorry to hear of the loss of Landen. It sounds like his life and death really touched you and that you have been a wonderful support to his mom. I hope my post is helpful to Deon; I can’t imagine anything worse than the loss of a child. I will pray for her and her family.
As a Stephen Minister and a member of my church’s disaster response team I could not agree with you more. I may not understand why bad things happen to good people, I do know that God’s love and grace is there for us and God will hold us in the palm of God’s hand.
Thank you for your wonderful thoughts