For we have not a high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Hebrews 4.15 There have been a few intermittent days between day 10 and day 11 as I had some time off for Easter, though I'm grateful to my church leaders who have continued giving updates and posts, day-by-day. The post for today came from one of the church leaders who works as a psychologist, and he shared that many times people come to him with a strong sense of hopelessness. They have infirmities or issues, but the most common thing they all share is a sentiment that they alone are going through this. That no-one understands, they're on their own, and there's nothing anyone could do to help, because they just don't know what it's like.
And it's not just people in need of professional help who have this experience. I'm convinced we all do, at times. And especially right now, when we don't spend as much time with other people and are left with what people are willing to share digitally (which we know from studies and from ourselves is generally the best bits!). It's easy to think no-one understands what I'm feeling. It's easy to tell ourselves that we should be happier, that we're the lucky few who have good provisions, good homes, good people to talk to still, good connections - but underneath it all we don't and we feel that nobody could understand that. Well no matter what we're feeling, and regardless of whether we think we have "the right" to feel that or not, I'm thankful that there is someone who knows exactly what I'm thinking and feeling, and understands me probably better than I do myself. So, when you find that you're down and feeling alone, take encouragement from the fact that Jesus knows you fully, understands what you're feeling, and loves you. God doesn't care what you think you "should" be feeling. God cares about you. Hang in there - and if you need to, reach out for a chat, any time! Stay safe, and take care! P.S. I made this illustration by following a tutorial from Teela Cunningham which you can get to by clicking on the link! I had great fun following along and I really like the end product! It just makes me think of hope! I love it!
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Well. Easter kind of rushed my by this year. With it being so early, I was only just home from university a day or so before Good Friday, and I hadn't felt I'd really had the time to prepare for it. But, as dates usually do, Easter Sunday came along and happened, and then I went back to writing my coursework, which I need to get done before going back for my finals this term! But then I was reminded this morning, as I suppose is a classic reminder for the week after Easter; it doesn't end there. Our current readings at church are going through John's Gospel. On Easter Sunday we had the tomb being empty and Jesus appearing to Mary Magdalene in the garden; this morning he appeared to the disciples in the locked room, and then again when Thomas was with them; and next week is Jesus appearing for breakfast by the Sea of Galilee where he reinstates Peter.
What I LOVE about this time - about these readings! - is that it tells of a God who comes to us. A God who meets us where we are; with all our fears and doubts, our irrational panics, our blunders and mistakes - and the scars and consequences that remind us of them. Mary seems like she hasn't stopped crying since Jesus died; the disciples, fearful and wondering if there was anything they could've - should've - done, are hiding in a locked room; and Peter probably can't bear even thinking of what he did when instead of standing up for Jesus, he denied he ever knew him at all. We all have times when we're not very strong. When we fall into doubts about the life God might have for us, in the face of the societal norms around us. When we can't see the hope of what God is doing, because the situation in front of us is just too bleak and dismal. But it is in precisely this moment that God comes to us and wraps us in his love again. He calls our name; he offers us the chance to know him more; and he gives us his work to do, in the power of his love, and in entirely his strength. That is the God that came to earth and rose again - the God who always with us. |
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AuthorI'm a recent Cambridge Theology graduate now studying for a Masters in Biblical Studies and blogging about all sorts of things! I'm interested in faith, Church, theology, social action, the great outdoors and being creative, and all of those things - along with many more - come through in my posts!
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