“Any may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep His love is. May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God.” Romans 8:18-19
There are those possessions in life that are cherished, cared for, and protected far differently than just the run-of-the-mill Tupperware container. It can be a family heirloom, a gift from a family member or friend, or a token from an unforgettable vacation. No matter the origin, the sentiment is the same. It is near and dear to your heart and, in most cases, irreplaceable. While living in Germany, I developed a passion for Volksmarching. The hikes would take me, Brooke in the jogging stroller, and my German friend, Maya, down worn paths, along streams, and through wooded forests. It was a fantastic way to see the countryside, sample local cuisines, and experience a different culture. At the end of the walk, your log would be noted, and mementos to commemorate your walk were available for purchase. I liked to collect the mugs and glassware with the names of the hosting town or village etched in the stone or glass. One of most favorite walks was in the city of Kitzingen, located in the German state of Bavaria along the Main River. The glass from that adventure became one of my most cherished possessions.
The glass was never put in the dishwasher to preserve the beautiful etchings. It was always hand washed, dried, and put in the cabinet for safekeeping. But sadly, this week, after twenty-eight years of safeguarding my special glass, it slipped from my hand and broke. The tears flowed as I picked up the pieces, and memories flooded my mind. Because of a recent hand surgery that left me with zero grip strength, I routinely drop things now. I finally mourned the loss of my hand’s trustworthiness as well as one of my most beloved, tangible possessions. When bedtime and prayer time came, I shared my sadness with God.
Most scholars agree that Jeremiah, known as the weeping prophet, penned the book of Lamentations, often called the most sorrowful book of the Bible. It is Jeremiah’s compelling account of God’s post-judgment of Judah. After watching the spiraling destruction for decades, who better to lament? The Bible encourages us to express our grief to God, from the littlest things, like shattered glasses, to the deeper pains of loss, death, or betrayal. God longs for us to turn to Him during times of anguish. The Bible does not promise Believers an exemption from this world’s abounding troubles, hardships, or pain. But it offers us hope in the midst of that pain. Even though Jeremiah was in a horrific situation, a revitalizing thought sliced through the prophet’s heart and mind. “Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness” (Lamentations 3:22). Jeremiah shifted his attention away from the surrounding circumstances and put his focus squarely on God. He reminded himself and the readers of one of God’s most comforting characteristics; God’s unfathomable love for His people. His love and sovereignty are completely trustworthy, even though we cannot fully comprehend them.
Wading through our sadness and pain helps us to become tenderhearted, cognizant, and responsive to the Lord and others. This means we must first allow ourselves to feel the consequences of our loss, consider and align our hearts under the tutelage of the Holy Spirit, release tears, and then relinquish our desire to understand the sovereignty of God. By doing so, we will still feel the pain but hopefully learn fruitful ways to shift our focus to the truth of God’s love and faithfulness. Those ways can be through healing tears, prayer, worship, scripture, and even writing a tidbit or two. And that’s your Tuesday Tidbit.