When we experience loss, how do we move forward? We move from joy to sorrow quite naturally. So, how do we move from sorrow to joy?
Preparing the Bride for GOD’s Story
How do we prepare as the Bride of Christ? One aspect is to learn GOD’S STORY. He created us in His image…. Piece by piece, and peace by peace, we learn to walk as He has walked. And we learn His perspective.
Genesis 35:16-21
“Then they journeyed from Bethel. When they were still some distance from Ephrath, Rachel went into labour, and she had hard labour. And when her labour was at its hardest, the midwife said to her, “Do not fear, for you have another son.” And as her soul was departing (for she was dying), she called his name Ben-oni; but his father called him Benjamin. So Rachel died, and she was buried on the way to Ephrath (that is, Bethlehem), and Jacob set up a pillar over her tomb. It is the pillar of Rachel’s tomb, which is there to this day. Israel journeyed on and pitched his tent beyond the tower of Eder.”
A show of Respect
The death of Rachel, Jacob’s great love, must have been difficult. How much more when they were not “at home”. What is home? A place of peace and security. Even at the death of Rachel, there was strife, a lack of peace, because they didn’t even agree on the name of the child. And yet, Jacob showed such respect for his wife, setting up a pillar to mark her tomb. And the mark of respect “which is there to this day.”
And then they moved on.
Grief is a part of life
When we lose something or someone and we enter into a time of grief, we don’t need to “be strong” ie be stoic. There is a season for us to weep, mourn and cry out.
In the Jewish tradition, there is a time of mourning. 40 days in some circumstances. 1 year win others. But then, they are called to rise up and move forward.
Just as Jacob mourned and showed respect for his wife, so he moved forward thereafter. And of course there is a new baby, Benjamin, to raise and to enjoy.
A prayer
LORD, let us not hide our pain. But let us not dwell on it either. Let us grieve in a healthy and healing way, and then let us move forward, on to the next stage of the life the LORD has given us.
Amen.