Dear Sister,
It’s always been very easy for me to take or leave romantic relationships. Silly as it may sound, “working things out” for whatever reason was never a thought that even went through my head. Every issue was a make it or break it issue—I was that naive.
I know now that relationships take a lot of work—even when you really like the person you are with. It may seem easy for a time, but eventually the rose-colored glasses come off and the problems start appearing apparently out of nowhere. Those lovey dovey feelings you felt in the beginning are now somehow replaced with irritation, frustration, or even disappointment with your significant other.
But Jesus does not leave us alone with our emotions on those days. He doesn’t frown upon the days when you’re not your usual bubbly self, singing in the car on the way home from work. If you read the psalms you’ll see that God never dismisses our emotions, but encourages us to engage with Him through them.
But perhaps the most profound verse in the Bible is also the shortest verse: Jesus wept. (John 11:35)
Did you ever find it curious that when Mary and Martha sent word to Jesus that Lazarus was dying, Jesus intentionally waited TWO more days in the place where he was before going to Judea where Lazarus was? He knew Lazarus’ illness and death was “for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it” (John 11:4). So, he waited, and Lazarus died.
When Jesus does arrive, Lazarus has already been in the tomb four days. But before he even gets to the tomb we are told that Jesus was “deeply moved in his spirit and greatly troubled” at the sight of Mary and those with her weeping. Then, instead of going straight for the grand finale of the resurrection, Jesus takes the time to weep at the tomb. Jesus wept!
In this ordinary display of grief, Christ reveals not only his humanity, but also his divinity. He shows us that God is a compassionate and emotional being who is willing to come alongside us and walk through whatever it is we might be going through.
For me, I struggle with loving someone that I’m in a romantic relationship with. In fact, in all my feeble attempts at romance, I don’t think I successfully loved any of one of them. I wasn’t even trying! But you know what else I never did? I never asked God to help me. I never asked God to intervene or show me how to love the person he had placed in my life.
So, sis, whether you’re angry, sad, disappointed, or frustrated, look to Christ. Ask Him to intervene, knowing that you do not have a high priest who is unable—or unwilling—to sympathize with our weaknesses. He hears you. He sees you. And He loves you!
Walking with you,
Kayla