Beauty for Ashes – Hope from Grief
In times of grief, can we experience “beauty for ashes?” Brad Hewey considers recent tragic events and the hope and comfort that we can find in God during times of grief.
Disappointed Hockey Fans
Hockey fans, and I believe many Canadians in general were disappointed and saddened recently, as our last hope for a Stanley Cup victory was quashed when Boston poured on the heat in the last period of an electrified 7 game series.
We sports fans love the game, the players, and the sense of pride and excitement it brings when our team is pulling out all the stops to seize that top spot, the best of the best in an all-out battle.
Even if we’re not a true hockey fan, a reason to celebrate as a nation, can be a welcome distraction when there are so many things around us that are much more difficult to deal with. We sometimes look for the momentary escape.
Tragic Event
The news this past week gripped our hearts, as we heard of the other event that put Toronto in the spotlight; the violent tragedy that occurred on Yonge St. There aren’t enough words to express how much pain can be caused in such a few moments of time. And it’s so sad as well, to think that it was a willful attack, possibly last-minute rage from frustrations that boiled over, or something that had been plotted and planned for some time.
Humboldt Tragedy
It was just a couple of weeks previously that our nation was filled with a collective cry, at the tragic news of the terrible accident in Humboldt Saskatchewan. So many young and beautiful people, filled with an energy and team spirit, that abruptly came to an end. A tragedy in the truest sense of the word. Our hearts grieve for the lost, for the families, friends and co-workers who are beset with grief, for the driver of the truck, the heartbreak for him and his family, and for the entire city of Humboldt.
Grief is a pain that may dampen over time, but the wounds and scars will forever shape what lies ahead. And whether the pain comes as a result of a violent attack (as seen by the van driver this past week) or as a tragic accident as seen in the incident in Humboldt, the aftermath is the same; a nation saddened and in shock, and loved ones coming to terms with the worst pain imaginable.
Where Do We Turn?
Where do we turn for answers when we are beside ourselves with sorrow? As Christians, it’s our comfort beyond all comforts to know that we have a Heavenly Father, who knows all about our sorrows. He is also, the GOD of all creation, let’s give him his rightful place.
“Therefore also now, saith the Lord, turn ye even to me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning: And rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the Lord your God”
Joel 2:12-13
Jesus Wept
There is only one incident recorded in the Bible, where Jesus is shown weeping. There may of course have been many occasions when he wept; we know he cried out so often on behalf of his beloved….”
Jerusalem, Jerusalem, how oft I would have gathered thee as a hen gathereth her chicks, but you would not. “
Luke 13:34.
When he was at the site of the Mount of Olives, he cried out sweating as it were great drops of blood., that the cup or task at hand, might be removed from him.
But it was at the news of Jesus friend Lazarus death, that Gods word records the shortest pas
sage in the scriptures, “Jesus wept”. What an indication of the immense emotional pain, grief, and sheer heartbreak, that engulfs us, overwhelms us, when we lose a loved one. Jesus had just lost a dear friend.
The Death of Lazarus
Johns gospel says that:
“when Mary was come where Jesus was, and saw him, she fell down at his feet, saying unto him, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died. When Jesus therefore saw her weeping, and the Jews also weeping which came with her, he groaned in the spirit, and was troubled. And said, Where have ye laid him? They said unto him, Lord, come and see. Jesus wept. Then said the Jews, Behold how he loved him! And some of them said, Could not this man, which opened the eyes of the blind, have caused that even this man should not have died?
God’s Love– Beauty For Ashes
The inspired word of God uses this moment, to demonstrate Jesus love, Gods love, how deep and intricately tied to us it truly is. For Jesus to weep over one, who he would in moments raise back to newness of life, and command him to rise and come forth from the burial tomb still wrapped in his burial garments: is truly astounding. Why the tears? Why would Jesus weep when the end result that he himself would perpetrate, would play out in mere moments? In front of a huge crowd of mourners, Jesus would raise Lazarus, turning this moment of heartbreak into one of rejoicing.
“to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that he might be glorified.” Is 61:3
Jesus enters into our pain with us. He knows our griefs and our tears, and is able to shoulder our burden, and help us through the greatest pain, that of loss and grief.
Does this not give us all hope, and a comfort that only Jesus can bring?
Raw Grief
I spent some time with an elderly lady recently, who just lost her daughter. Although she was holding onto the threads of faith that were her stronghold, her grief was raw, and visible. She shared with me, that a friend of hers, who was a Christian as well, told her that as Christians our grief isn’t necessarily as strong, because we have the hope of seeing our loved ones again in heaven. I guess we’re all guilty at times of trying to say the right thing, but the sentiment just rings cold.
I draw not just from the example of Jesus weeping at the loss of his dear one, but from the countless pages of scripture that demonstrate that any and all can find themselves in a situation of being nearly overcome with grief. Grief is not experienced in degrees…. more grief or less grief, felt by this group or that type: but grief is experienced from the reality of a heart filled with love, that has now burst open from a mortifying blow.
Poignant Lyrics
Hymns have a way, of wrapping a poignant lyric in a warm melody, to bring us to a simple remembrance of the fundamental truths that are only found in the caring loving arms, of our Lord and Savior.
There’s not an hour that He is not near us
No, not one! No, not one!
No night so dark but His love can cheer us
No, not one! No, not one!
Jesus knows all about our struggles
He will guide till the day is done
There’s not a friend like the lowly Jesus
No, not one! No, not one!
Pray For Those Who Are in Pain
Let’s continue to think upon, and pray for those in Toronto, in Humboldt, and those who have fallen victim to gun violence in the US, and suicide bombing in the middle east. There are so many today who are grieving so deeply, that we owe it to them, and are called to enter into their pain.
Let’s call out to God on their behalf, that they would feel his presence,
“to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that he might be glorified.” Is 61:3
Have you experienced “beauty for ashes”? What happened? We would love to hear from you. Comment below or contact us at HopeStreamRadio.
Brad Hewey
Brad offers up practical, scriptural advice from a perspective borne out of everyday life encounters. As we live and move and have our being…it’s the individual life lessons that most often present the greatest challenges, but can yield the richest blessings. We’ve all, as Christians had those faith-affirming moments, where we’ve had an overwhelming sense of God’s spirit, or his very presence “at a particular but, maybe random time”.
Brad was born and still resides in a small community in the Annapolis Valley of Nova Scotia, where he and his wife Karen raised their 3 children. Brad & Karen fellowship at the Greenland Bible Chapel, where Brad serves as an elder.
Brad loves meeting and engaging with people. His background in sales has provided opportunities to travel throughout the US and Canada, networking with people from all walks of life. Brad is a singer/songwriter and has recorded 3 Christian albums. Songs from his “Brighter Day” release, have aired on Christian Radio stations across Canada and two of Brad’s albums are on HopeStreamRadio’s playlist.
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Man with head in hands – StockSnap
Ice Hockey – David from Washington
Sad Teen – nastya_gepp
Suicidal – rebcenter-moscow
Man with head in hands – DanielReche
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