By Jean Roberson
We had not planned on meeting there. It was all coincidence. I had to smile to myself as he drove up and parked the car. He got out and came to stand behind me. I did not say hello or anything, and neither did he.
After a few minutes of standing there silently he said, “Jean, you cannot allow your anger and pain to cause you to run away from who God has made you to be. Have the courage to turn around and face God. Deal honestly with God because loving God is the most important thing you will ever do.”
A couple years after her death, my father and I were standing at the cemetery where my mother was buried.
These were the words my father spoke to me that day, and I do not know if he has ever said anything more important to me. I thank God for that moment, and I thank God for his honesty.
If you and I were sitting together over coffee, this is the moment when I would sigh, look you in the eye and say that so many things in life can cause us to run away from who God has created us to be.
It certainly can be sickness and death, but it can also be broken relationships, hurt feelings, bitter disappointment and deep fatigue. We all have something: something that sits in our soul and pulls us away from honesty before God and deeper into ourselves. And for some reason, running always seems easier than facing the aftermath of hardship.
Can you relate?
But when we allow disappointment and pain to be our guide in life, how is that better? What kind of person do I become? How does that bring peace? Eventually it just makes me tired.
Though dealing honestly with our feelings before God can be so very painful, it is the correct path. We know that with our minds, but we often fail to embrace that with our hearts.
As my father said, it is the most important thing we ever do. It defines who you are.
Though this is not new to you, can I take this moment to
remind us and ground us in the truth?
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls” (Matt. 11:28–29).
A Takeaway Value …
Search your soul, and come honestly to face God.
EDITOR’S NOTE — Jean Roberson, MSW, LCSW, is a ministry consultant for national Woman’s Missionary Union. She serves as team leader for the adult team and director of Christian Women’s Job Corps/Christian Men’s Job Corps and International Initiatives.
Share with others: