The Beauty of Mourning: Finding Comfort in the Midst of Sorrow
As we navigate the complexities of life, it’s easy to get caught up in the idea that we should always be rejoicing. After all, we have been given the gift of eternal life through Christ Jesus. However, this side of heaven, our rejoicing should be tempered with mourning. It’s essential to acknowledge the sad realities of our world and the devastating effects of sin.
Recognizing the Reality of Sin
In Romans 8, Paul describes the world as “subjected to futility,” “in bondage to corruption,” and “in the pains of childbirth.” These phrases should break our hearts and lead us to mourn. Mourning means recognizing the most important reality in human existence: sin. It’s acknowledging the weight of what sin has done to us and those we love.
The Blessing of Mourning
In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus teaches that those who mourn are blessed. But why is mourning a blessing? Mourning leads us to cry out for help, rescue, forgiveness, and deliverance from a Redeemer. It’s the comfort of knowing that we’re forgiven, being restored, and living in a reconciled relationship with God. Mourning results in comfort, not just elevated feelings, but the presence and grace of a loving God.
Lent: A Season of Mourning and Reflection
As we approach Holy Week, it’s essential to take a season to reevaluate, recalibrate, and clarify the values of our hearts. Lent is such a season. It’s a time to remember the suffering and sacrifice of our Savior, confess our ongoing battle with sin, and fast from things that have too much of a hold on us. Lent is also a time to give ourselves to prayer, crying out for help from the only one who can provide it.
Finding Freedom in Mourning
As we stop, consider, mourn, confess, pray, and give our hearts to thanksgiving, may we step away from the tyranny of a busy life and consider the most important things. May we open our hearts and hands, letting go of things that have taken hold of us. May this free us to seek our Savior more fully, celebrate him more deeply, and follow him more faithfully.
Following Jesus on His Journey to the Cross
The horrible, public sacrifice of Jesus should ignite both celebration and mourning. The cross confronts us with who we really are (sinners) and what we need (rescuing and forgiving grace). As we consider what Christ willingly suffered because of our sin, let us mourn the sin that remains. Let us celebrate the grace of the cross and follow Jesus on his journey to the cross.
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