Passing through the valley of weeping

 

"As they pass through the valley of Baka, they make it a place of springs; the autumn rains also cover it with pools." - Psalm 84:6

The valley of Baka (or Baca) was known as the place of weeping. It may have been a reference to the indigenous trees found in the valley, that oozed sap from their bark. However, it could also have been a simple a reference to a place that witnessed a lot of pain and tears. 

What I like about the image is that there is a purpose in the weeping. The tears become springs of living water and there are signs of life, despite the pain and suffering. I see this as a message of hope for our troubled world. Even though we will all travel through some valleys of pain, God will use our tears to bring life and hope.

“Tears are God’s gift to us. Our holy water. They heal us as they flow.” — Rita Schiano

Living in Grace

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The earth is no stranger to tears

There are times when we feel that we are alone in the distress we are experiencing. However, it soon becomes apparent that there are so many others who are dealing with their own unique pain and sorrow. There is a measure of consolation in this, as we may become more sensitized to the plight of our neighbour and friends. 

When D.L. Moody wrote about some of the pain he was witnessing in Chicago, he said:

"All over this city are broken hearts. If all the sorrow represented in this great city was written in a book, this building couldn’t hold that book, and you couldn’t read it in a long lifetime.

This earth is not a stranger to tears, neither is the present the only time when they could be found in abundance. From Adam’s days to ours, tears have been shed, and a wail has been going up to Heaven from the brokenhearted. And I say it again, it is a mystery to me how all those broken hearts can keep away from Him who has come to heal them."

It is Moody's emphasis on Christ that should strike us as being important. He is not suggesting that tears and broken hearts are unusual, but rather that people still don't choose to turn to Jesus in their distress.

Psalm 34:18 - The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.

I encourage us all to allow Christ to heal our pain and to dry our tears. He is willing to do so.

Living in Grace

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Looking through eyes that have cried

 

"There are many things that can only be seen through eyes that have cried." - Oscar Romero

One of the most moving passages in the scriptures (for me) is where John records how Jesus wept at the grave of Lazarus. There are so many sermons one can write on this encounter, but the truth is that tells us that Jesus cares and Jesus feels our pain. 

When Jesus looks at a broken world, he sees us, not with eyes of condescension, but through eyes that have shed many tears. 

"My intercessor is my friend as my eyes pour out tears to God" - Job 16:20

Living in Grace

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Remembering C.S. Lewis

Forgive me for being a day or two late, but the 22nd November marks the anniversary of the death of C.S. Lewis. Needless to say he left a huge legacy in the literary arena, as well as in the church context. To honour his life and his contribution, I have chosen a few of his lesser known quotes to share with you. 

May God bless you as you read these today.

"Friendship is born at that moment when one person says to another: “What! You too? I thought I was the only one.”

“Crying is all right in its own way while it lasts. But you have to stop sooner or later, and then you still have to decide what to do.” 

“We are not necessarily doubting that God will do the best for us; we are wondering how painful the best will turn out to be.” 

Which is your favourite C.S. Lewis quote of all time - please share it with me. Thanks.

Living in Grace

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The rainbow in our souls

 

"The soul would have no rainbows, had the eyes no tears" - John Vance Cheney

It may be a cliche, but there is truth in the fact that a rainbow only appears after the storm (rain). The quote reminds us that God doen't waste our tears and is always wanting to bring something good out of our pain. The story of the Resurrection is the greatest reminder of this truth. Even Mary of Bethany experienced the same thing. 

"Then she knelt behind him at his feet, weeping. Her tears fell on his feet, and she wiped them off with her hair." - Luke 7:38 

 

Living in Grace

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Crying all your tears out

"I have cried until the tears no longer come. My heart is broken, my spirit poured out..." - Lamentations 2:11

Perhaps this is where we get the saying, "I cried my eyes out!"
There have been times in all of our lives where the pain has made us weep and weep, until we have no more tears. This is Jeremiah's story too. He cries over the brokenness of his people and for the loss of a relationship with God. He can't do anything to change the situation, but his tears help him to grieve for the loss he experiences.

As you reflect on this sentiment remember that Jesus offers us compassion for our tears and brokenness. Jesus is the one who also weeps and we can turn to him in the midst of our distress and fear.

John 11:35 - "Then Jesus wept."

May you find solace in the arms of Jesus - the one who weeps with you and who is strong enough to carry you through your trials.

Living in Grace
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Tears in a bottle

With the growing scarcity of water in our country, people are putting up JoJo tanks to capture whatever rain water they can. It is amazing how much water you can collect off your roof in a single rain-storm.

But speaking of collecting water, can you imagine if God collected our tears in a bottle/tank? The Bible actually speaks about how God actually does that for us.

Psalm 56: 8 - "You have kept count of my wanderings;
store my tears in your water-skin."

I find this an amazing thought - don't you?

There was a poem written by Deborah Ann Belka - it goes like this:

There is a bottle up in heaven,
filling up with all your tears.
Drop by drop the Lord collects,
the full harvest of your fears.

There is not a tear that falls,
where He is not aware.
For He understands each drip,
and the cause of your despair.

When tears of unhappiness,
are followed up with grief.
He garners them in His vial,
and sends peace for your relief.

He knows the real reason,
as He gathers up your pain.
And all your hurtful tears,
to Him become like rain.

He reaps each tender trickle,
with His mercies from above.
Collects them in His bottle,
and caps them with His love.

Living in Grace
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Seeing through tears

"Sometimes we can see more through our tears than we can through a telescope." - Michael Catt

I came across this quote in a book by Michael Catt and I find it intriguing. Often we think that our tears blind us and prevent us from seeing anything. Catt adds a new dimension onto this by suggesting that our tears allow us to see Jesus more clearly. It is in the midst of our suffering that we open our hearts to the healing power of Jesus.

Richard Baxter - "Suffering unbolts the door of the heart so that the Word hath easier entrance."

May we see Jesus, even in the midst of our difficulties.

Living in Grace
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