I so appreciate this essay, Andrew, as I find it a telling of truth honestly, humbly and graciously. That truth being that suffering is so much woven into our lives, even as we try to avoid it through our actions, choices and formulas, through distraction, numbing and denial, through blaming and punishing those around us. I can see how I've fallen into each of these traps, trying to wall off my own experience of suffering, disappointment, and loss.
I have not really thought of this before, but in addition to anguish and suffering being so central to our being sinful, broken humans, with Christ himself being "a man of sorrows," might it also be an aspect of the Imago Dei? It is not only Jesus who suffers, but also the Father, who watches the suffering of his son, his children, indeed all of his creation, as well as the Spirit, who "intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words." What is that phrase: "Is this a flaw or a feature?" Not quite sure that I like this line of thinking, but Paul certainly has a few things to say about suffering that also lean this direction.
But while it may serve a purpose, I am grateful suffering does not seem to be an end in itself. We do live in the hope that some day all will be made well, suffering shall be no more. In the mean time, your words, and your songs, are such a reminder that we do not grieve alone, that we need not suffer alone, and that the God of all creation is also Immanuel, the God who is with us in it all. Think I'm preaching to myself here.
I grew up in India, and I ‘get it’. It’s been 16 years since I left the country but the systemic oppression of caste discrimination still deeply troubles me, I’ve seen it first hand with friends growing up. But most of the society is sadly blind to Jesus. The churches in India too, including the one I grew up in, are well acquainted with grief because it is so overwhelming everyday. It’s something difficult to wrap your head around for someone who has never been to/seen such parts of the world. Thank you for sharing this.
Andrew Osenga, what you write absolutely so resonates with me! Thank you! Keep on writing and singing and playing your songs! My life has taken so many turns, I’ve lost count. It’d make a best-selling book, I’ve no doubt. But THROUGH IT ALL is Jesus, what a wonderful Saviour He is! Again, I thank you, for putting into words for me what have only been thoughts!! May God continue to richly bless you!
I so appreciate this essay, Andrew, as I find it a telling of truth honestly, humbly and graciously. That truth being that suffering is so much woven into our lives, even as we try to avoid it through our actions, choices and formulas, through distraction, numbing and denial, through blaming and punishing those around us. I can see how I've fallen into each of these traps, trying to wall off my own experience of suffering, disappointment, and loss.
I have not really thought of this before, but in addition to anguish and suffering being so central to our being sinful, broken humans, with Christ himself being "a man of sorrows," might it also be an aspect of the Imago Dei? It is not only Jesus who suffers, but also the Father, who watches the suffering of his son, his children, indeed all of his creation, as well as the Spirit, who "intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words." What is that phrase: "Is this a flaw or a feature?" Not quite sure that I like this line of thinking, but Paul certainly has a few things to say about suffering that also lean this direction.
But while it may serve a purpose, I am grateful suffering does not seem to be an end in itself. We do live in the hope that some day all will be made well, suffering shall be no more. In the mean time, your words, and your songs, are such a reminder that we do not grieve alone, that we need not suffer alone, and that the God of all creation is also Immanuel, the God who is with us in it all. Think I'm preaching to myself here.
I grew up in India, and I ‘get it’. It’s been 16 years since I left the country but the systemic oppression of caste discrimination still deeply troubles me, I’ve seen it first hand with friends growing up. But most of the society is sadly blind to Jesus. The churches in India too, including the one I grew up in, are well acquainted with grief because it is so overwhelming everyday. It’s something difficult to wrap your head around for someone who has never been to/seen such parts of the world. Thank you for sharing this.
Andrew Osenga, what you write absolutely so resonates with me! Thank you! Keep on writing and singing and playing your songs! My life has taken so many turns, I’ve lost count. It’d make a best-selling book, I’ve no doubt. But THROUGH IT ALL is Jesus, what a wonderful Saviour He is! Again, I thank you, for putting into words for me what have only been thoughts!! May God continue to richly bless you!