Uplook - April 13, 2024
Good afternoon,
I am a little introspective today, which is not a surprising occurrence at this particular time of the year. It is during this time of year our first child was born (April 2) which was further punctuated by the death of my father 12 days later (April 14) at the age of 49. Even today 43 years later, I have vivid memories of holding a precious little daughter in my arms and weeping. The tension between grief and joy was so fragile that I sometimes could not discern which of those I was feeling and experiencing and looking back, I realize it was a bittersweet mixture of both. I have also learned over the years that such a mix is not so uncommon in the human experience. The Psalmist King David when dedicating his home wrote the words
“… Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning. Psalm 30:5b” .
I certainly could list other instances of crushing pain/grief in the presence of exceeding great joy/blessing and I am sure that many of you could list such times in your lives as well.
What are we to make of such experiences and the intersection of great pain/loss with great joy/victory. Maybe it is best expressed by the phrase which I heard over 40 years ago which goes like this… “It’s Friday…but Sunday’s coming!” As great an event as Jesus’ Friday death on Calvary was…it is only half of the equation for the needs of humanity. We must grieve and repent of our sins and in His great sacrifice we can find forgiveness. Thank God for that. And yet, it is only in the empty tomb of Sunday, three days later that we are called to follow His example of rising from spiritual death to walk in newness of life. Authors have written about it, songs have been written about it, and it continues on as long as the tension between grief/loss and joy/victory exists.
As Christians…we have hope even in the darkest of times. By God’s grace, if I am faithful I will see my father again and spend eternity with him (along with many others). And that daughter and her siblings, as well as their children and their children’s children can enjoy that same opportunity for eternal fellowship because of what Jesus did. And when that time comes, there will be no more death, tears, pain, etc. because the Bible says “for the former things are passed away”.
I will close today with the lyrics of a beloved hymn that I committed to memory during those difficult times so many years ago. It was written by Horatio G. Spafford in a time of great grief and pain. I’ve included all the verses including a couple you may not have heard before. May they encourage you just as they have me over the years.
It Is Well With My Soul CCLI - 91387
When peace, like a river, attendeth my way, When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say, It is well, it is well with my soul.
Refrain: It is well with my soul, It is well, it is well with my soul.
Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come, Let this blest assurance control,
That Christ hath regarded my helpless estate, And hath shed His own blood for my soul.
My sin—oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!— My sin, not in part but the whole,
Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more, Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!
For me, be it Christ, be it Christ hence to live: If Jordan above me shall roll,
No pang shall be mine, for in death as in life Thou wilt whisper Thy peace to my soul.
But, Lord, ’tis for Thee, for Thy coming we wait, The sky, not the grave, is our goal;
Oh, trump of the angel! Oh, voice of the Lord! Blessed hope, blessed rest of my soul!
And Lord, haste the day when the faith shall be sight, The clouds be rolled back as a scroll;
The trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend, Even so, it is well with my soul.
God bless.
BB
Rev. William E. McKibben
Senior Pastor
I am a little introspective today, which is not a surprising occurrence at this particular time of the year. It is during this time of year our first child was born (April 2) which was further punctuated by the death of my father 12 days later (April 14) at the age of 49. Even today 43 years later, I have vivid memories of holding a precious little daughter in my arms and weeping. The tension between grief and joy was so fragile that I sometimes could not discern which of those I was feeling and experiencing and looking back, I realize it was a bittersweet mixture of both. I have also learned over the years that such a mix is not so uncommon in the human experience. The Psalmist King David when dedicating his home wrote the words
“… Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning. Psalm 30:5b” .
I certainly could list other instances of crushing pain/grief in the presence of exceeding great joy/blessing and I am sure that many of you could list such times in your lives as well.
What are we to make of such experiences and the intersection of great pain/loss with great joy/victory. Maybe it is best expressed by the phrase which I heard over 40 years ago which goes like this… “It’s Friday…but Sunday’s coming!” As great an event as Jesus’ Friday death on Calvary was…it is only half of the equation for the needs of humanity. We must grieve and repent of our sins and in His great sacrifice we can find forgiveness. Thank God for that. And yet, it is only in the empty tomb of Sunday, three days later that we are called to follow His example of rising from spiritual death to walk in newness of life. Authors have written about it, songs have been written about it, and it continues on as long as the tension between grief/loss and joy/victory exists.
As Christians…we have hope even in the darkest of times. By God’s grace, if I am faithful I will see my father again and spend eternity with him (along with many others). And that daughter and her siblings, as well as their children and their children’s children can enjoy that same opportunity for eternal fellowship because of what Jesus did. And when that time comes, there will be no more death, tears, pain, etc. because the Bible says “for the former things are passed away”.
I will close today with the lyrics of a beloved hymn that I committed to memory during those difficult times so many years ago. It was written by Horatio G. Spafford in a time of great grief and pain. I’ve included all the verses including a couple you may not have heard before. May they encourage you just as they have me over the years.
It Is Well With My Soul CCLI - 91387
When peace, like a river, attendeth my way, When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say, It is well, it is well with my soul.
Refrain: It is well with my soul, It is well, it is well with my soul.
Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come, Let this blest assurance control,
That Christ hath regarded my helpless estate, And hath shed His own blood for my soul.
My sin—oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!— My sin, not in part but the whole,
Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more, Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!
For me, be it Christ, be it Christ hence to live: If Jordan above me shall roll,
No pang shall be mine, for in death as in life Thou wilt whisper Thy peace to my soul.
But, Lord, ’tis for Thee, for Thy coming we wait, The sky, not the grave, is our goal;
Oh, trump of the angel! Oh, voice of the Lord! Blessed hope, blessed rest of my soul!
And Lord, haste the day when the faith shall be sight, The clouds be rolled back as a scroll;
The trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend, Even so, it is well with my soul.
God bless.
BB
Rev. William E. McKibben
Senior Pastor
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