This morning I want to continue looking at the beatitudes. These few verses that Jesus shared have high impact if we are willing to listen. Monday we began with "those who are poor in spirit." Today let's look at, 'Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.'
Grief is the price we pay for love. Henri Nouwen wrote: 'We wonder when grief hits hard, "Why did this happen?" Was it to remind us of the brevity...of life? Was it to deepen the faith of those who carry on?' It's hard to answer "yes" when everything seems dark. The most important thing to us at that moment is to be relieved of the pain. But when we move through adversity rather than avoid it, we greet it differently. We become willing to let it teach us. Like Joseph, we see how God can use it for some larger end. Ultimately, mourning means facing what wounds us in the presence of the only one who can heal us. The Bible says, '...Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning.' (Psalm 30:5 NKJV) Your morning will come; God has promised it! Your grief will ease with time. The fact that you're willing to embrace the pain, rather than try to escape it, guarantees that. It's not that you'll forget, it's that you'll remember differently; with more gratitude and less grief. This beatitude answers two questions: (1) What happens to those who die in the Lord? 'Let not your heart be troubled... In my Father's house are many mansions... I go to prepare a place for you...that where I am, there you may be also.' (John 14:1-3 NKJV) (2) What about those of us who must go on living? '...The...God of all comfort...comforts us...that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble...' (2 Corinthians 1:3-4 NKJV) He's there for you anytime anyplace. You are loved!
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