A day of rain has ushered in cooler temperatures. Actually, this is "my" weather. I am not a huge fan of extreme heat. Happily, I grab a sweater or cozy up with a blanket on the front porch or back deck. It won't be long now until we welcome Fall. Seasons in our world flow one after another. Our calendar each year records the first day of Winter, Spring, Summer and Fall. Each one begins on a designated day, coming expected, unchanging and predictable. The seasons in our life are not as reliable. Personally, we can experience spring's freshness, the warmth of summer's rest, autumn's cooler winds and winter's harsher climate at any time of the year. We can even live with the elements of two seasons running parallel across our lives at the same time.
Observing the construction of the Temple, as the younger men rejoiced, the minds of the older men were flooded with memories. They knew this reconstruction would probably never be able to measure up to the grand structure Solomon commissioned. They had no doubt stood and watched in despair as the previous Temple had been destroyed and those remembrances filled their thoughts. This type of reflection brings with it a danger. "The backwards look that discounts present activity is always a peril. Regrets over the past which paralyze work in the present are always wrong. Moreover, all such regrets, as in this case, are in danger of blinding the eyes to the true value and significance of the present." (G. Campbell Morgan)
The other morning, I was awakened by the sound of nature outside my window. Two birds were welcoming the day. The little songbird's melody was breathtaking. The trills this sweet bird sang as he cascaded up and down octaves was a glorious song of celebration. Yet, joining in the duet was the mournful cooing of a dove. This accompaniment sounded so sad in comparison. Both were singing the song the Lord had given them, but one tune was overflowing from sheer joy, while the other brought to mind an offering of sacrifice, praise through pain. Both in the same proximity have a different response. Each one is equally real.
How often in our lives two songs are being played together at the same time. We can be praising because of God's goodness in one area, yet confused, fearful, grieving or doubting in another. It is like looking out the window right now and seeing evidence of summer, while feeling the approaching winter winds on our hearts. Summer's delight is bridled by winter's pain. As Christ-followers, we know the joy that should continually be ours through all circumstances, but sadly we only see the reality of the situations surrounding us. Living in the now and the not yet. Having the joy of one event clouded by the trials and hardships of another. One brings laughter, the other tears.
We consider laughter a gift. We often rejoice in laughter, yet hide our tears. Tears, too, are a gift from God. They do not go unnoticed by Him. Both emotions are beautiful wordless expressions. Years ago, I read how tears caused by laughter are very different than tears caused by sorrow. Their composition is different. Tears caused by sorrow matter so much to God that they even have a different consistency to distinguish them from "happy tears". That's how He designed us.
Ken Gire writes, "The closest communion with God comes, I believe, through the sacrament of tears. Just as grapes are crushed to make wine and grain to make bread, so the elements of this sacrament come from the crushing experiences of life."
It is so hard being caught in the middle of one piece of music. The treble part is victorious and lilting, while the bass accompaniment lingers long, low and harsh. Inside, emotions are torn. The arms of our heart are stretched out, each one being pulled in the opposite direction. A battle is being fought. Joyful shouting and weeping mingled together. The journey of life brings the Road to Emmaus with the resurrection joy of meeting Jesus but it also encounters the Via Dolorosa, the way of suffering. Two paths. Two seasons. Both leading to the same Saviour.
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