Month: April 2020

Wrestling With Why’s

Kendra Pope2 Comments

My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Matthew 27:46, Psalm 22:1

We’ve all asked, “Why?” The “why’s” begin at an early age, don’t they? You don’t have to spend too much time with a 4 or 5 year old to notice. Our brains long to make sense of things that are unknown. We like strategies, answers and control. If we can know the why, we can walk it back and find a solution, right? Usually.

I have asked God why, especially in hardship; when things are not “right” as we define it. This is mainly because I know He is in control. If He is in control, all wise and working His will, then He can give me an answer. “Why would you do this? Why me? Why us? Why him/her, whyyyyyyyy?!?!” The question in itself is not wrong and I believe God gave us the innate desire to explore, examine and figure things out. (Proverbs 25:2) “Why” has driven so much research and science and when we get answers, we celebrate it. It truly is a wonderful thing.

Then there are those times we all loathe, when we don’t find answers. We cry out from the depths of our souls, “why!” The lack of answers feels like failure, but wisdom asserts what is true. When we do not get the answer to our why we are driven to the foundation of our Christian faith. Faith requires belief without seeing, trust without touching, and a step forward without knowing the outcome. Sometimes when we don’t get answers, it’s a good thing.

I’m embarrassed to admit I often need the reminder that God knows better than me, especially when I don’t understand what’s going on around me or inside of me. Not only does He know better, but His view is extensive. His infinite knowledge is perfectly right and His vision is without barrier. God sees the whole picture.

Do you know who else saw the whole picture? Jesus. He knew why He hung on the cross yet in pain He cried out, “Why have you forsaken me?” He was fulfilling the prophecy of Psalm 22 as He suffered. He quoted it as He lived it. God did not answer Him. Think about that for a moment. He did not answer Jesus, the Messiah. Why not? An answer was not necessary. We see Jesus in the garden praying that God might let this cup pass from him. (Matthew 26:39) No answer. “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.” Hebrews 4:15 

Girlfriend, we are in good company asking “why” without a response from God. But let me whisper a truth in your ear that I often need whispered in mine. We can trust God with the answers we may never get.

Jesus didn’t get an answer, but the answer was good.

We can trust His infinite knowledge and His perfect love to give us “peace that passes understanding.” (Philippians 6:4-9) I experience so much freedom in this. Freedom that our Jesus suffered, died and rose for.

I have learned that if I don’t have answers, I can still have peace. If I don’t have understanding I can still have trust and if I don’t have certainty, I can still have faith.(Proverbs 3:5-6, Isaiah 26:3, Phil. 6:4-7, Hebrews 11:1) You are braver than you know.

When hope is real…

“God sees the whole picture. I can trust Him with my why.”

Cheering you on always,

The Hour Had Come

Kendra Pope2 Comments

“So He got up from supper, laid aside His robe, took a towel, and tied it around Himself.” John 13:4

I read these words today as I opened up to the gospel of John to reflect on the events leading up to Jesus’ death and resurrection. I didn’t recognize it at the time, but only John includes the footwashing of the disciples’. Today, “laid aside His robe,” stopped me in my tracks. The beating, torture, and crucifixion were drawing near. I’m fascinated how He spent His time leading up to them; what His actions show us about His priorities.

He spent His time serving the very people who would be hiding in fear shortly following the footwashing. He spent His last days reassuring them of what was to come so that they would believe. (Verse 19)He shared truth with the ones He loved and even into those who would believe in the future. (John 17)

In the midst of the crisis we face with the coronavirus pandemic, I have experienced a myriad of conflicting emotions and thoughts. I’ve been so happy that my family is getting more quality time together, baking, playing games and doing what we enjoy. Yet I’ve been heartbroken that they don’t get to enjoy their normal, day to day activities with their friends, teachers and coaches. The uncertainty, changing of plans and suffering all around has been overwhelming. Just yesterday, we thought there may be a chance they’d get to go back to school and our “normal” could return sooner than later. Today, we are settling into the reality that that’s not the case. 

Truthfully, it’s too much for any of us to handle well. Jesus was approaching His darkest hour. He faced that deep darkness for us. Yet, we find him here, setting his robe aside and serving those He loved by washing their feet, a service reserved for a slave. This is not uncharacteristic of Him. 

He laid aside heaven when He came down for us. (Philippians 2:7)

He laid aside His glory. (Philippians 2:6-8, Isaiah 53:1-10)

He laid aside His rights. (Philippians 2:7-8)

He laid aside His life. (Romans 5:8)

He laid aside His robe and took up a towel, wrapping it around Himself… to wash His disciples feet.(John 13:4-5)

He changed His clothes.

What might we lay aside in order to humbly serve in our current crisis? They may be the robes of titles we carry such as teacher, full-time working mom, stay-at-home mom, Bible study leader, church worship leader, coach, speaker, administrator, etc. If not the entire title, at least the way we traditionally play these roles has perhaps seen it’s darkest hour. Can we humbly lay it aside like the robe of Jesus was that evening? What robe is God asking you to lay aside to serve those closest to you? 

Jesus tells us to do so and leads by example. He is worthy of this sacrifice and will meet His children in the midst. I know I’m not alone when I say I have had to change clothes a lot in these past few weeks. Taking all of these adjustments one day at a time and seeking to lay aside my norm has been challenging. I pray you’re finding true strength day by day to do the same.

I’d love to hear from you in the comments!

Cheering you on Always,