Devotionals

Grief

by John Custer
05/13/20
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GRIEF

When I was in my sixties I rode my bicycle from the Mississippi to the Atlantic Ocean, and on my 70th birthday I rode 70 miles in freezing weather.  I wasn’t a great athlete but I was satisfied with my condition.  Now that I am 79, not only is my strength substantially less, but my mental acuity and alertness is a lot less.  Sometimes I find myself grieving for my loss, wishing I could do what I used to do.  

I believe Jesus grieved too.  At one point he looked over Jerusalem and said, “Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gather her chicks under her wings, and you were not willing”  Matt 23:37  Note that it wasn’t long after that he gave his life to redeem not only Jerusalem but also the whole world.  His grief did not hamper him.

So what do you grieve for?  your former strength? your former spouse? your former (fill in the blank)?  When your situation changes, you often must change your goals.  

The most spiritually productive time of my life has been the last 20 years, after I adjusted my goals.  I wouldn’t trade that time for any other time. 

Ask God to help guide you and use your grief for productive outcomes.  He can help you attain more than a better golf score.  He can use you to accomplish things of eternal value that you never dreamed of (i.e Sunday School teacher, Small Group Leader, a mentor).  However, you must seek him for direction as Christ communicated with his father.

“Lord, help me to know myself as you know me, and with your help achieve my potential. Amen”

NIV