Mourning was the topic of Pastor Ryan's sermon at Eastlake last night. I saw on Facebook that this is what would be discussed and I'm not gonna lie, I debated whether or not I wanted to go. I've done my fair share of mourning, and I really didn't want to drag up old memories. Plus, I've been feeling extra-emotional lately and I was afraid that I was going to burst into tears in the middle of service. After praying for 4.5 years for God to heal Gloria and then having her pass away at 11-years-old, I was familiar with mourning. I turned away from God for a long time. And then the recent death of Gloria's younger brother, Anthony...It was so much for the Strauss family to bear and I didn't understand why God would put so much pain on one family. Especially a family who were so devout and faithful to Him, and who did everything right. But it turns out that it was a good thing that I went.
Things started out well, with the worship band playing three of my favorite songs:
Great by Worth Dying For on Ammunition -http://bit.ly/Rtc4Ul
Burning Ones by Jesus Culture on Consumed -http://bit.ly/PwQRNl
When You're Here by David Lunsford on Eastlake IV -http://bit.ly/wyyuf7
Then Ryan spoke so beautifully about mourning. He said that mourning is a blessing, and that "to be blessed is to be the privileged recipient of divine favor."
"Blessed are those who mourn - they will be comforted." Matthew 5:4
"In this world, you will be plagued with times of trouble..." John 16:33
"It is better to go to a funeral than a celebration. Why? Because death is the end of life's journey, and the living should always take that to heart. Sorrow beats foolish laughter; embracing sadness somehow gladdens our hearts. A wise heart is well acquainted with grief, but a foolish heart seeks only pleasure's company." Ecclesiastes 7:2-4
To mourn, we have to stop pretending that we are going to live forever. We are forced to face our own mortality. America is a culture of comfort. We would rather shun pain and anything associated with it than face it head on. We seek comfort instead of indulging in what we are really feeling.
"The Lord is close to the brokenhearted..." Psalm 34:18
For true mourning to occur, there has to be love. For those who have really mourned, some choose to live life on the surface. They have superficial relationships and friendships. They are connected on the world wide web and social media, but don't have anyone they can really talk to.
To mourn is profoundly human. When you have suffered a great loss, do not close yourself off to love again. Like a child who has fallen off his bicycle, we too must get up and try again. Ryan said something that really stuck with me: "Do not forsake the divine spark within you. Do not be afraid to risk in love."If you try and tuff your grief, it will come out of you. You can either mourn, or you can medicate. Medicating your grief can only last you for so long before it doesn't work anymore.
"Weep with those who weep." Romans 12:15
Pain draws us together. Maybe it is pain or mourning that allows us to open up to receive comfort in the first place. Vulnerability does not come easy to any of us. It's never easy to ask for help.
On the cross, Jesus not only suffers for us but with us. He says, "I am not immune to your pain." We are not indifferent to pain. We will either reject it, or embrace God. We will pound our fists and curse and scream and reject Him completely, or we will grasp at His holy robes with the invisible threads of blind faith that we have and cling to Him with everything that we have.
"We do not grieve as those who have no hope." 1 Thessalonians 4:13
"God himself will be with them...He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away." Revelation 21:3-4 I need to believe that this is true...There needs to be justice for this world. Children are taken from us too young, disease runs rampant, and crime steals the lives of loved ones before their time.
"Be doers of the word and not hearers only..." James 1:22
Ryan also included this video of stories of mourning from fellow Eastlakers. I immediately recognized Samantha Paul, mother of Rachel Beckwith. She reminds me so much of Kristen Strauss, and I just want to wrap her up in a giant hug and let her know that Rachel and Gloria are probably painting Heaven pink together and looking down on their Mommies.
Watch with a tissue!
Blessed - Matthew 5:4 from EastLake Church on Vimeo.
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