Suffering is sacred ground?

Why do I refer to suffering as sacred ground? If you know the enneagram, you might accuse me of being the ultimate four who has remained in my feelings and created some type of narcissistic bond with my sorrow. Oh, believe me, I did! But, God, in His wisdom, blessed me with a husband and children. Parenting left no room for dancing with sorrow. So, I peeled myself off of my sorrow, off of the vat filled with myriad moments of realization that had hit me like bricks, moments that clarified just how alone, exploited, and used I had been. I pulled myself away from those and began to dance with God instead. That is the moment it became sacred ground.

Oh, God can use suffering so well! For those who have not suffered, God has to work to find an opening. For us, there are openings all over! Cracks from this hurt. Crevices from that one. Our hearts are broken into pieces — geez! pick a hole to slide into!

But, the thing is, and this is the confounding, the beautiful, the truth so intimate, we must take time to let its revelation dawn — God is already here….

“If my father and my mother forsake me, then the Lord will take me in.” (Psalm 27:10)

Say these words aloud. Sit with them. Pull them up around you. Turn to God and allow Him to show you all the ways He has already taken you in. Begin your walk upon this sacred ground.

Reflection

We often judge God’s presence based on whether or not suffering stopped. This is not the only criteria; and, indeed, for most of us, it can miss where God shows up so vibrantly.

Prayer

Dear God, we have misconstrued where You are and how You come to us. We put You at the end — when suffering stops. We assign You to tasks of removing our pain rather than accompanying us, strengthening us through it. Help me to change my vision. Help me to look back and see all the ways You have been with me. May I be willing to join You now, here, on this sacred ground.