Shaping our response to suffering

Dr Iain Jamieson June 15, 2022 0 1

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Luke 1: 46-53 (NRSVA)

46 And Mary said,

‘My soul magnifies the Lord,
47     and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour,
48 for he has looked with favour on the lowliness of his servant.
    Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed;
49 for the Mighty One has done great things for me,
    and holy is his name.
50 His mercy is for those who fear him
    from generation to generation.
51 He has shown strength with his arm;
    he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts.
52 He has brought down the powerful from their thrones,
    and lifted up the lowly;
53 he has filled the hungry with good things,
    and sent the rich away empty.

I had a bit of a hard time recently, the going got quite tough and – despite Billy Ocean exhorting me to do so — the tough (in my case) had a hard time getting going…

There are however miraculous things in the middle of the storm – God sends us angels — legions of them and there they are with you — from dawn till dusk and through the watches of the night.

This is, in its own way, a special blessing.

Well, I found an amazing thing at the end of this particular difficult episode in the life of Iain. I found myself – without making any “decision” about it, really (I mean really, earnestly) thanking God every morning when I woke and every evening before I slept – just being quiet and experiencing gratitude — feeling loved.

Now I feel sure it’s not a million miles away from what most of you do daily and indeed not unusual for me either but this time it just felt different. It felt so much less than habit or a devotion and so much more like a real, deep, authentic change in orientation. I was blessed by knowing what it was to be blessed.

My life and my walk is now richer, deeper and more profound than it would have been had I not had my own wee rocky road. The storm clouds parted and I was left with a rainbow and clearing skies.

I can tell you, it’s amazing.

I know how difficult it is to be in need of rescue but when we hold out our hands and they are gripped firmly back and we are pulled to safer ground, that awareness of being loved, the reminder of forgiveness and renewal and grace. It’s then that your soul glorifies the Lord and your spirit rejoices in God your saviour.

PRAYER:

Lord

I know you’d rather our hearts were not troubled and that our faith was enough

I’m just a person

I’m just a child

When the storm seeks me out be my sheltering arms

When the storm moves on be my balm and my calm

When the clear skies appear give me wings

When the silence returns let me sing

For my soul glorifies you Lord

And my spirit rejoices – rejoices beyond measure

In you, my God and my saviour

Amen