Sunrise

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As I prepare for surgery tomorrow, I’m reminded of suffering that is so much deeper than mine. 

I’ve been reading about the life of Corrie ten Boom in “The Hiding Place.” She and her family were devoted followers of Jesus who helped many, many Jews find safety during WWll. Their underground operation was eventually discovered. They were arrested and sent to concentration camps...where they continued to love and serve others, and even worship God. 

As I read, I am absolutely dumbfounded that any person could treat another human being with so much hate and contempt...and not that long ago - my grandparents were teenagers. And yet, similar horrors are experienced around the world still today by persecuted Christians. Courageous men, women, and children risk their lives to follow Jesus because they know that their “present suffering is not worth comparing to the glory that will be revealed.” (Romans 8:18)

So what do we do when confronted by the reality of pain, suffering, and evil in this world? We pray. We cry out to God. We pour our hearts out to the One who has experienced and endured the greatest depths of suffering on the cross...for US! And we persist in HOPE.



One of my favorite songs lately is called “Alive Again” by Matt Maher. There’s a line in it that says “I can see the light before I see the sunrise.” What a perfect image of HOPE. When we see evidence of the light we can’t help but remember the promise of the sunrise! And in that, we forget for a moment that we’ve been surrounded by the night. 

My word for the year (selected through prayer back in November) is “REJOICE.” How do we focus on the light? We choose to find things for which to be thankful, and we rejoice in them! It doesn’t mean I always feel the feelings I formerly associated with the word “rejoice” - a lot of days it’s more of a mental discipline. But choosing that mindset of focusing on the light rather than the shadows gives a peace and internal calm that makes walking through valleys less intimidating.

I’ve mentioned the below song before; obviously music really speaks to me. Still one of my all time favorites, it just suits this season so well. The musical intro feels so much like life - a little chaotic and messy...but it turns into something so beautiful. And the chorus - “in the sunshine, in the sorrow, oh my soul rejoice” - it’s easy and natural to rejoice when life is good, but learning to rejoice even in sorrow is the secret to peace and deeper joy I am trying to take hold of now.







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