You will grieve

You will grieve, but your grief will become joy.

When we watch a movie or read a book, it’s usually pretty easy to follow the plot.   We understand the story because we see one event following from another, and we begin to get a feel for where the story is heading.   Wouldn’t it be nice if life worked the same way?   The problem is that when you’re “inside” a story, it can be easy to lose the thread of the plot and to wonder where it is heading.

As Jesus approached his crucifixion, he tried to help his disciples with this sort of confusion.   He knew that they would be faced with a huge challenge when they saw him die on the cross.   To prepare them, he explained that this was part of the great story that he had called them into.   They would experience wrenching grief, and they would feel out of step with the rest of the world.   But that wouldn’t be the final chapter.   Their grief would be turned to joy, and the story would take on a whole new meaning.

Do you believe that your life is part of this same story?   While the disciples had to wrestle through the grief of Jesus’ death, your part of the story has come later.   You already know about Jesus’ resurrection.   If you can keep your eyes focused on Jesus’ victory over sin and death, you’ll know a joy, a stability, and a peace that nothing in this world can take away from you.

At times we lose sight of God’s story.   We forget that our joy comes from Jesus’ salvation, not from the story that the world offers us.   Losing focus, we can begin to lose our trust that God is with us.

This is why we need to immerse ourselves every day in the story of the Scriptures.   We need God’s word to sharpen our focus.

Never forget that you are part of an epic story.   You are one of the “great . . . cloud of witnesses” whose lives have been changed by the Lord.   You aren’t just a passive observer; you’re an active participant.   You have a role to play today in moving this story forward—and Jesus is right beside you, helping you every step of the way.

word among us