Not The Way It's Suppose To Be

Disclaimer: I know I haven't posted in a while. That's partly because I've been so stinkin' busy and also partly because when I think of writing I typically am so tired when I sit down at night the last thing ANYONE wants is for me to try to articulate my thoughts! :) So, don't get excited because this doesn't mean I'm back to frequent posts, just that I actually had time and comprehendible thoughts to do some writing ;)

Yesterday was an interesting day and I wanted to comment on it. During the war here many people lost their lives. I mean it's war, unfortunately that's kind of the point. 

Yesterday this country observed a day during the war when many people were killed. 

Seventeen years later and you could still feel the somberness of the day. 

They had signs up in buses, on storefronts...no one played music, coffee shops which usually are booming with noise were low-key. The atmosphere of the day reflected the attitude of the country in remembrance of those lost. 

On my way into town yesterday I spent some time dwelling on what it all meant. I spent time trying to comprehend what it must have been like, what it IS like. I came to the conclusion that I will never comprehend what this country has gone through.

However, I can comprehend loss. 

I think we all can. 

Loss, death, hurt...we've all been through it, we've all felt it in some form.

When I was a child my grandfather died. Thinking about that time still brings tears to my eyes. Thinking of how even as a child I understood his body was giving out on him. A stroke, then cancer, you could see him slowly leaving us. And then the day came that he did. I remember that day. I remember the words my dad said to his dad over the phone (because he was overseas working) just before he died. I remember crying, I remember hating going through it. I remember knowing (even as a child)

"this isn't the way it's suppose to be."

When I was a senior in college, my Uncle Rick was killed by a drunk driver. I remember getting home from trip and my mom telling me the news. I don't remember if I cried immediately or if it took a while for the shock to wear off. I do remember thinking through the times as a kid spending with him, the joys our families shared, and just being so worried about how my Aunt Mona and her boys were doing. Such a sudden tragedy, and even to this day I remember the feeling of my stomach being in my throat and not knowing what to say. There was something messed up about it all.

It just wasn't the way things should be. 

I think we all sense the reality of that. When tragedy comes, when we see war ravish nations, when a loved one or friend looses their life (no matter what age)...it hurts, it sucks.

It's not the way things should be.

In talking with people I've heard before, "Well, I mean death is just a part of life." And even though that is the reality, it's such a contradiction. 

How can the thing that is the VERY opposite of life just "be a part of it"? As if that's an acceptable answer.

I mean death steals life, death destroys life, death kills life. (That sounds familiar...I'm pretty sure Jesus once said that the thief comes to steal, kill, and destroy.) 

I think we could all agree death is a thief in the fullest sense. It's not something any of us long for or rejoice about. It brings sorrow, pain, hurt, somberness (even years later).

In thinking through these things yesterday, even the losses I've had in my own life, I just felt a since of hopelessness. I think that's where death leaves us: feeling hopeless.
In that hopelessness though I was reminded that while Jesus said the thief wants to steal, kill, and destroy, He also says of Himself, that

He is the way, the truth, and the LIFE. 

He tells us we can have life and have it abundantly. He doesn't want us to live in death, in hopelessness, in hurt.

What words of beauty! 

So even though the day brought to mind the reality of death not just in my own losses but what I can see and feel in a whole nation of people who have suffered great loss, I was also reminded that death "isn't the way it's suppose to be".
We can have hope. We can have Life...because there is One who died to make things "the way they ARE SUPPOSE to be".
Jesus took on our enemy (death) and He defeated him by raising from the grave. Death could not hold Him.
He is the VERY opposite of death! And we can know Life through Him.

That's such an amazing reality in the midst of a world that's constantly reminded of death!
While the day brought on some hard memories and also the reality of such a tragic time for this country, through all of this my sweet Savior, my Life-giver, my Conquerer  was quick to bring these truths to mind. I will end with them because I think the Word of God speaks for itself!

'The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me, because the LORD has anointed me to bring good news to the poor; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound; to proclaim the year of the LORD's favor, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn to grant to those who mourn in Zion-- to give them beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit; that they may be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he may be glorified." Isaiah 61:1-3

"The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly."-Jesus (John 10:10)

"When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written: "Death is swallowed up in victory! O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?" The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ." 1 Corinthians 15:54-57

Jesus said, "I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live" John 11:25