So often we feel like the writer of Ecclesiastes when he said, “I have seen all the things that are done under the sun; all of them are meaningless, a chasing after the wind (Ecclesiastes 1:14).” Circumstances like the loss of someone we love, suicide of a local teen, or war breaking out in Ukraine, make us stop and ask, “What is the point of life? Is there meaning in death? Yet, God promises us that He can and is doing new things all the time (Ezekiel 36:26; 1 Cor. 5:17). So, maybe the Ecclesiastes scribe was wrong. What if what we do with our lives is not meaningless? What if suffering, and even death itself, does not occur in vain? Let me be honest… The past two years have been a season of loss, hurt, and betrayal for me. I lost my job, church family, friends, and reputation. I was hurt by the church and its leaders. My confidence was betrayed, twisted, and then used against me. To put the situation lightly, it sucked. Through God’s presence with me and a community that loves me, I have worked through confusion and anger. Yet, sadness remained. “Make sadness your ally. It is not an enemy,” My friend told me again and again. “Let it move you towards something productive instead of destructive.” Changing the way we look at the death of a person, job, dream, or goal, is incredibly hard. When I stopped to really ask myself that question, I came to realize how deeply I loved the people, community, church, and responsibility I was given so intensely. Instead of being mad about losing so much, I could choose to be grateful for all the people I loved and belonged to for so long. Thank you God I got to have a job that I enjoyed and found purposeful. The death of that season of life churned up so much grief that, when I allowed it to, moved me toward gratitude. As we enter into Lent, a season of solidarity in the suffering of Christ, I can’t help but wonder if this same process is true for Jesus’ crucifixion. Here me out… When we read the first book in the Bible, Genesis, we discover that we were originally created to never die. We were to live in harmony with God and creation forever. However, because we wanted to be in control and be as powerful as God, we ate a forbidden fruit that Satan offered us to unlock within us the knowledge of good and evil. As a consequence, we gave up our immortality. Death was our curse. From that moment in the garden, our lives would be strewn with suffering, pain, loss, and betrayal. We would toil, shake our fists at God and, like the writer of Ecclesiastes ask, “Why? What is the point of all this? I thought you loved me.” But, then Jesus enters the scene. Perfectly human, yet perfectly divine. God in flesh suffered, toiled and was betrayed. His words were taken out of context. He was beaten, nailed to a tree, and died in humiliation. Yes, life and death in that light seems meaningless. However, that’s not the end of the story… Jesus defeated death, rose to new life and left death in the grave. Jesus says in John 11:20-26, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die.” Christ used our greatest curse, death, to bring us our biggest blessing, life. For those of us who call Jesus our Savior, here are three reasons why death is now our ally: When death hits close, we are reminded that this earth is not our home. Heaven is coming. Paradise will be restored where death is a distant memory. Death breeds hope. The imminence of death can leave us paralyzed or it can set fire under our feet. We can stay in bed or we can create beauty. We can sit in the darkness or we can turn the light on and let it in to see all the good. Death puts us to work to make this life meaningful and purposeful because it is short. It makes us ask what we’re going to do with our gift of life. What makes us human is that we are mortal. We are not God. God is eternal and sovereign. He is in control. He’s got you, Boo. We can live our life on earth and even enter heaven in that identity and peace. This Lent season, I pray that you would see things differently. What if death is your ally? Could your grief be moving you toward gratitude? There’s so much good to be done and many souls to love…why not truly live and die trying? This blog was written by Loren Burris, the founder of the Hive Collective. She is always up for swimming in waterfalls, drinking craft beer, and deep conversation. In her free time, she is a business development director for a IT Concierge, an editor for a Christian publishing company, a volunteer with XII ministries, and fundraising chair for Young Life in York County, SC. Oh yeah, she is also a wife, a mom, and favorite truth telling friend. Join Loren and a community of women at The Rise Retreat on March 12 from 9 am - 4 pm!
Together, we’ll uncover what it looks like to step into God-given courage and walk in extraordinary faith, even on ordinary days. Through contemplative exercises, small group discussion, and activities, your soul will discover how to rise above challenges, both old and new. Your ticket includes a personalized workbook and all meals and snacks for the day. Spots are limited. Sign up now!
2 Comments
Nan
3/2/2022 05:07:47 pm
Loren has been such a personal blessing to me for almost 10 years. Her spirit and servant heart will always be there for the underserved and forgotten. And, she does the best retreats!
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Becky Livingston
3/16/2022 10:32:41 am
Lauren I had no idea what you have been through. Thank you so much for sharing and blogging Truth that will transform us in Jesus Name! So grateful that God has loved and rescued you through all of this and is continuing every minute of every day! You are a blessing and I praise God for your testimony!
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AuthorKaley Rivera Thompson is an author, copywriter, Bible teacher, speaker, and worship leader. When she's not championing other women, cheering on the rising generation, writing or playing her guitar, Kaley loves to sip strong coffee, go on hikes, or take a day trip to the mountains with her family. She takes the most pride in being a mom to three little girls, Lina, Lili and Ceci. You can follow her on instagram at @kriverathompson or find out more on her website at kriverathompson.com. Archives
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