Highlights in my walk with the Lord often come in the form of nuggets of truth stumbled upon during my Saturday morning study group. One time it might be a particular scripture that brings balm to my soul. Another time encouragement and refreshment come as we pray for each other at the close of the meeting. Almost always a point or two hits home as we share together in response to the author’s prepared discussion questions.
Author’s Aside:
I say, “almost always” because exceptions come immediately to mind if I say “always.” From time to time a question might be a little less thought provoking, and we look at each other, sigh, and sometimes laugh outright. Not at the scripture, mind you, just… well, let me give you an example of the type of questions that make my eyes roll. Once I was working through a study guide for the book of John. The questions included, “According to John 11:35, what did Jesus do?” I turned to that chapter and verse and read the answer, “Jesus wept.” I confess to the eyeroll, but I dutifully wrote the two words in my workbook.
I am grateful to group Bible studies where usually one or another friend will make a comment to take us deeper than will a poorly worded question. For delightful insights regarding the verse “Jesus wept,” click here: John 11:35 Commentaries: Jesus wept. (biblehub.com)
Back to Saturday morning, the last question in our study was substantive: “What is one truth …. that encourages you to keep going in your pursuit of wisdom?”[i]
We all shared hard circumstances and the resultant recurring pain and fear that brings us to the edge of just that very question. Why do we keep pursuing God, following Jesus, when trouble strikes and sometimes lasts so very long?
One other group member and I had the same bottom line in our answer. Referring to Peter’s response to Jesus when most of His followers walked away from Him, a Biblical narrative reports of Jesus teaching His followers and calling Himself the “Bread of Life.” As Jesus said this, “many walked with Him no more.” Jesus turned to His disciples and asked if they wanted to leave Him also. Simon Peter responded, “Lord, to whom would we go; You alone have the words of life.”[ii]
Most of us at the table had pursued other so-called solutions to life’s troubles and we sat together quietly for a moment reflecting on the realization that all other avenues took us down blind alleys. I thought of various false solutions pursued–with disastrous consequences, empty promises leaving me lost and alone. No, indeed, not going back there! Jesus alone consistently walks with me in the troubles life still dishes out. and His promises are full, His purposes will be accomplished—an oft-repeated Biblical promise.[iii]
So, I keep following, keep pursuing Him and discovering, more and more often, evidence of His pursuit of me. Sometimes I wonder at the miracle of the goodness of life that just slips into my heart with a gentle peace that has no other explanation than the whisper of the Holy Spirit making Himself known. Or at other times I am caught up in the joy of a grandchild’s hug or a person who has just discovered God’s grace is for them.
And yet I still wonder what He thinks and feels about the hard times we live through.
Hints at the answer come my way from time to time. I watched a podcast recently in which Phillip Yancey was interviewed https://youtu.be/DUFB4h8DZog about his book, The Question That Never Goes Away. WHY?[iv]
During the interview, two statements Yancy made reminded me of truths written on my heart but sometimes buried below my awareness. His comments brought them surging to the surface:
“This world is not running as God intended. In this world you will have trouble.”
“But, despite all appearances, God shares our distress.”
Oh, … He cries with us when we cry? I think I will go back and read those commentaries on John 11:35. Jesus wept with those who mourned; He must weep with us too. Our world is not running as God intended. Our children and friends and families are not living the life God intended; we aren’t either! But despite all this, God is with us; and His purposes for us and those we love will be accomplished, if not now, or next week, or next year, or my lifetime, He will make all things right. In the meantime, we follow Him, we worship and struggle together with him and each other, in His peace, His grace, His truth—we stand.
[i] The question was from the last chapter of: Create in Me a Heart of Wisdom, by Grace Cho and the (in)Courage Community, 2023, published by Revell, www.revellbooks.com
[ii] John 6:58-68
[iii] Isaiah 14:24-27; Isaiah 46:9-10; Isaih 55:11; Psalm 138:8
[iv] The Question That Never Goes Away: Yancey, Philip: 9780310367673: Amazon.com: Books
Mary Heathman
Founding Director
Mary often characterizes herself as “a seeker of Truth” and has a long-standing fascination with human behavior and motivation. Her education consists of lay and discipleship counseling, independent study about the integration of psychology and theology, counseling and human sexuality. She also holds a BS in Human Services and an MA in Psychology from Regis University.
Mary attends a Friends (Quaker) Church.
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