Sometimes a Bible verse touches you in ways you don't expect. This morning, Mike and I were doing our devotion and the verse was "They dress the wound of my people as though it were not serious. “Peace, peace,” they say, when there is no peace." (Jeremiah 8:11) and tears started welling in my eyes, because I understand. This has happened to me and, unfortunately, I have done it to others.
People who are hurting deeply know when they're being placated. Patting someone on the back with a, "There, there, it's going to be alright." because it makes you feel better isn't helping that person experiencing pain. Yes, it is going to be alright. With God's help, everything will be alright, but that pain, that hurt, and eventually, that scar are all real and they ache.
I remember back when we were hurting so badly because it felt as though we'd been tossed out by our ear by the church we so loved we got lots of cards and a few flowers. Because it was so sudden and quietly done, people didn't know what to do. While we appreciated the sentiments, what meant the most was the few people that walked alongside us. Those that lifted us up and let us lean on them for support. Those that lifted us up in prayer and prayed with us. We were broken, shattered and limping. We are still healing and sometimes, when it feels as though it's all better, a little reminder comes along to remind you of the scar that remains.
Some wounds are serious. Some wounds require more then a band-aid and pat on the back. Some wounds have cut so deep that it takes a Healer to mend them. They take time and they take love and they take forgiveness. They take Jesus. Proverbs 3:5-6 says it well, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will direct your paths."
Some versions say, "he will make your paths straight." but I tend to like the "direct your paths." because the path is not always straight. It's not always even. There is going to be stumbling blocks and side tracks, but He will direct it. God will show you the path, He will put people in your path that will help you on your journey, but you need to trust Him instead of yourself. I know the times that I've tried to rely on myself are the times I've been led down the wrong path. You have to have trust in the Lord. Do you trust Him? Are you willing to let Him direct your path? Are you willing to let Him heal your heart? It's not an easy choice. It's not a choice that normally goes along with societal norms, but it us one that has great satisfaction. When I have trusted God, I have known rest and peace. It's a path that leads to restoration instead of band-aids.
Were you and your husbands pastors there? Since we moved we feel like we were "let out" by our ears from our former church as well but as members.
ReplyDeletePrayers for you and yours.
It makes my heart so sad to hear of people that have been wounded by the church. By those who are supposed to be the hands and feet of Jesus, but the church is not perfect because we are not perfect. We have hope in Christ that His church in heaven will be perfect! What a promise!
ReplyDeleteNo, we weren't pastors at our last church, but I was the Children's Ministry Director and our entire family had been very active members from the moment we had started attending there. My husband had taken on adult ministries as a volunteer and my high schooler was one of the leaders in the youth group. When I was suddenly let go, they "let go" of our entire family.
I'm sorry to hear that a similar thing happened to your family.