Tears, No Words

Recently, I sat with someone who wept uncontrollably, deep heart-wrenching sobs for the suffering, killing every day, and the horrors of the children suffering in Gaza. “How can this be? Why don’t we care? I can’t bare it!”

On the few occasions in my life where I have felt, or witnessed, this depth of grief I always hear God’s heart breaking through. When evil manifests with such indifference and cruelty that our human capacity to comprehend or bear witness crumbles beneath the weight of the darkness. As it should.

And yet we are living in a time when. despite incredible communication, the tolerance for such atrocities defies belief. Denial, excuses, conspiracies, the demonization of ‘them’. All manner of flimsy explanations to justify our self-protection, rationalize ignorance, defend the indefensible. Somehow, if the end seems remotely ‘good’ – then the means is accepted with a shrug. “What else can one do, they won’t listen, or comply.”

Putin’s invasion of Ukraine, Israel’s relentless bombing and killing machine, and other scenes of barbaric cruelty we never hear about. We cannot comprehend or absorb the depth of depravity, the lies and corruption, the hardness of heart, the cataracts of deception that blind eyes to truth. We are increasingly desensitized to the consequences of attitudes and decisions made in the name of whomever, or whatever, when the impact explodes on distant shores. Depersonalizing ‘the other’ no matter what the issue, makes it easier to allow for cruelty as a means of suppressing, beating down, and maintaining control – even Christian principles.

There are so few courageous leaders breaking through. Thank God there are some. And many more, like my friend, who seem invisible, but whose grieving tears reach the throne of God, who sees and hears all. “Why doesn’t He do something?”

The eternal question of every generation.

But…

He does hear our cry. He did see the pain and suffering. He did enter into the turmoil. He did walk this earth and witness the pain. He did expose the lies and challenge religious and secular injustice. He did lay down his life and suffer an excruciating death at a young age. He did experience and endure betrayal, abandonment, rejection, and brutal cruelty. God came into Gaza in the person of Jesus, so loving the world. Salt and light…

Dysfunctional humanity ridiculed Jesus as naïve, weak, a threat, and one who spoke a truth we did not want to hear. We killed Jesus 2,000 years ago, and we continue to choose Barabbas to this day. Shame on us. Shame on us for washing our hands in Pilate’s bowl professing innocence. Masquerading as righteous and blaming others for ‘what you made me do’. Justifying, explaining, condoning, dividing, conquering… in God’s name? Really?

My sobbing friend spluttered out these words from Mark Chapter 18:

At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who, then, is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?”

He called a little child to him, and placed the child among them. And he said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me.“

“If anyone causes one of these little ones—those who believe in me—to stumble, it would be better for them to have a large millstone hung around their neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea.  Woe to the world because of the things that cause people to stumble! Such things must come, but woe to the person through whom they come!“

Miraculously, God raised Jesus from the dead, as he offers to heal and raise us, one and all, if we so choose. He alone, remains good, and our source of hope, despite….

You say You’re near to the broken
You say Your peace passes understanding
You say You’re hope for the hurting
Where are You now?

Come close, I’m on the verge of breaking
Come close, I’m desperate for Your presence
Come close, the weight of pain is crushing
Come close

She touched Your hem and You healed her
You opened eyes with the dirt we walk on
When will I wake from this nightmare
Where are You now?
Where are You now?

So come close, I’m on the verge of breaking
Come close, I’m desperate for Your presence
Come close, the weight of pain is crushing
Come close

You are good, You are good
I believe You are good
You are good, You are good
I still believe You are good
You are good, You are good
I believe You are good
You are good, You are good
I believe You are good

So come close, I’m on the verge of breaking
Come close, I’m desperate for Your presence
Come close, the weight of pain is crushing
Come close

If You’re not scared of my questions
Where are You now?