Tuesday 12 April 2011

SUFFERING

'...upon meeting Jesus she reiterates the charge "Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died." (John 11:32). Mary is not to be blamed here, but to be respected for having brought her doubts as well as her faith to her Savior. Living in denial of tragedy, too many Christians live schizophrenic spiritual lives: outwardly smiling and brimming with trust and joy, but inwardly filled with doubts and anger. They often do not know where to turn, but Mary, like Job and the psalmist, says, "To God, of course." Bring him your doubts, frustration, even anger. He can handle it. Remember the cross and God-forsakeness of the Beloved: God, too, knows how to sing the blues.'
Michael S Horton, 'Death's Sting Is Removed but Its Bite Remains' in Nancy Guthrie (Ed.), O Love That Will Not Let Me Go, p.22.