Keep Singing

 

How can I keep from singing...

If only it was that easy. But walking through a spring time orchard does help one to come to this...

The thing is, celebration and beauty for the good things in life are at the same time going to bring pain and suffering and reminders of grief.

This is life. The spring blossoms are beautiful and amazing, a breath from heaven...softness and comfort and fragrant peace...answers to prayers...safety...refuge...

This is life too. Loss and grief and brokenness.  Relationships break and we can't seem to forgive and move on. Our babies go to heaven before they arrive on earth. Some of us don't even get the hope of a child. We are barren. Left alone, dry, and withered. We feel forgotten. 

It comes to me in a still small voice that we all experience and suffer, loss and grief. We all get to choose..."Though none go with me, still I will follow". This is best committed and promised to God when we are most alone and stripped of everything we ever thought we wanted.

Our enemy is grabbing a lot of us when we are broken and feel alone. He sees an opportunity to hone in on our weaknesses. He's like that, always looking for an easy meal, like a pack of hyenas. 

It's normal and good to admit grief and sadness and even despair. But please, never stop there. David, in the Psalms  was messy and vocal about himself. But always, he ended in praise. 

Praise is often honest resolve. "I'm worried and scared, but I put my trust in you, O God."

"I'm in despair and anguish, but You are a God of Hope. I refuge In You, O God." This is praise.

Never allow your loss, your most difficult unanswered prayer, take away your praise to God. He knows. He cares. He has plans for you. He wants your trust. He wants you hopeful, patient, and courageous.  

Courage is doing it scared and doing it regardless. If you love Jesus...the same power that rose Jesus from the dead, lives in you. Let God be powerful for your losses. Exalt His name together over all your earthly sorrows. 

If it feels fake to you and pretentious, know its not. That's walking in faith, to not be feeling it, but doing the words, the act, anyway. You must keep singing.