Hope In Everything

Never once has self-loathing fixed the challenges we face in this life

Leaning towards defeat is not a mindset that will ever suffice

Stand strong, stand firm and have some faith

You will be brought to safety; rest your weary head

For nothing in this life has been given that you can't face

For every heartbreak, there is an embrace

Search for safety, you will make it home

You're the one who let these thoughts come in and devour you

You're the one stressed to the point of wondering is there anything you can do

There is nothing holding you down but your own doubt

Break free and believe death will not become you

–        excerpts from “Keep Me Alive” by Fit For A King

With His mother and the disciple John watching in agony, the scene of Jesus being hung to dry on the cross is without a doubt the most painful scene the two have to witness. (And with the film Son Of God showing in cinemas right now, I’m sure that artistic interpretation does not give justice to what really took place that bloody day.) But in the midst of all the sorrow, the pain, and the decaying state of His body, He was still able to utter words that did not make much sense to me until last weekend at a conference in Oakville.

“Woman, behold your son.” “John, behold your mother.” (John 19:26, 27 – ESV paraphrase)

Come to think of it, knowing the situation He was in such statements did not really fit. As Matt Carter observed during the conference, He could have said that way before this painful moment. He could have said it during the last supper. He could have said it prior to Him being arrested. He could have even met with the two in secret just to tell them that Jesus wanted His disciple John to look after His earthly mother Mary. But of all situations, He chose the one in which He’s literally moments away from dying.

We’ll never wonder why and we’ll probably never get the best explanation for it. But one thing I learned about that moment is this: that even in the midst of the darkest situations we could be in, God is taking care of us. And when I mean that He cares for us, I don’t just mean it in the context of big things; but also in the context of small, trivial matters as well. Again, Jesus could have said those words elsewhere instead of while He was being hung to dry for my sins and for everybody else’s. But to make sure that someone will look after His mother – groceries, health, and all – while He was on the cross, goes to show His heart for us.

I don’t know about you, but for someone who suffers with negative thinking a lot, that gives me a lot of hope to face another day. That when I think there’s no getting out of situations where I find myself, His hand is there and He is taking care of me every step of the way. He indeed is not just a God who embraces us through every heartbreak, but He is also the strength that enables us to keep going when we think we could no longer hold on.