We have been on a quest to find the sacredness in tragedy. A mighty tall order, wouldn’t you say?
In the previous seven posts, we looked at tragic events and took deep dive into the meaning of righteousness and sacredness. Today, we will explore trauma.
The Miracle of Birth
For those of you who have given birth, or witnessed this, it is nothing short of miraculous. The experience of birth is sacred.
Babies
Babies are incredible. They have the tiniest toes and fingers. With bodies that almost fit in the palm of a hand. And eyes that may or may not be open. Yet, in a few days, babies start to gaze into their parent’s eyes with all the love in the world. They are truly a gift from God.
Life-and-death circumstances might make us question God’s omnipotence (the power of God), or God’s goodness. In other words, God’s willingness to prevent terrible things from happening. Such as when a baby is miscarried. Or stillborn. Or born less than perfect.
Parents may wonder “Where was God?”
Or
“Why did this have to happen?”
Surely, God doesn’t create imperfect beings. God can’t take my baby away. Can he?
No Answers, Yet
We simply do not know. Maybe one day we will find out. But for now – for many of us – certainty is elusive.
Some of us may simply choose to trust that God is there. Some may be fortunate enough to feel God’s presence – even in the midst of suffering. While others may feel lost, or alone or even foresaken by God. During times of trial and tribulation we often experience a floodgate of emotions. We may feel that God is nowhere to be found. Yet, could it be that, even then, God is with us – even though we may not see it? Years later when we look back, we may discover that lessons have been learned, inner convinctions formed, and/or meaning found.
The next time you find yourself in the middle of a storm, can you imagine holding out your hand so God can grasp and hold it in his own?
Traumatic Events
Think back on your own life. Do you remember traumatic events from your childhood…or teenage years…or adulthood?
People often think of the big events. Yet seemingly smaller incidents can become a significant source of trauma as well. Like having best friends move away when you were a young child. Or perhaps there were times when you were bullied. Maybe you lost precious possessions such as a piece of jewelry, or had a favorite keepsake stolen from you at school. At the time, perhaps your emotions were strong or clouded your thinking. You might even have thought, “Why did God let this happen to me?”
Over time, however, we can learn from our experiences and reflect upon them. What lessons have we learned from the trauma or tragedy that we experienced? Have we become more compassionate? Have we devoted ourselves to a cause that is close to our hearts? Did you, for example, decide to become a doctor because you were once an accident-prone kid?
It may be that things happen for a reason, which, at first, we may not have understood. Maybe that is where the saying, “Time will tell,” comes from.
A Time for Everything
In life, there is death. Before death is life. Life begins at birth. Could it be that, after death there is eternal life?
There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: a time to be born and a time to die.
Ecclesiastes 3:1,2a
Over the past few weeks, we have explored the question: Can sacredness be found in tragedy? As we move forward in life, may we be open-minded. May we love one another through all the facets of our lives, including the tragedies that come out of nowhere.
#Birth #Time #Sacredness #WhereWasGod #Tragedy #LifeQuestions
I and Thou Reflections 