Grief and Resurrection

In his book, Don’t Take My Grief Away, Doug Manning tells of a young couple whose 18-month-old daughter developed a croup and was taken to the hospital.  She was put under an oxygen tent and given antibiotics.  In spite of everything the doctors did, she died less than an hour later.

When Doug got there, the mother was crying hysterically.  He was a young pastor, and he tried to console her.  He said, “There, there, you must get hold of yourself.”  He said the young woman looked at him straight in the eye and said with fire in her voice, “Don’t take my grief away from me.  I deserve it, and I’m going to have it.”

He said he learned from that experience how important grief is to the healing process.  He writes, “Grieving is as natural as crying when you are hurt, sleeping when you are tired, eating when you are hungry, or sneezing when your nose itches.  It’s nature’s way of healing a broken heart.”

John says, “When Jesus therefore saw her weeping, and the Jews weeping who came with her, he groaned in the spirit, and was troubled, and said, ‘Where have you laid him?’” (John 11:34)

They took him to the tomb where Lazarus was buried, and, before demonstrating His authority over death, Jesus joined these sisters in their grief.   In the shortest verse of the Bible, John says, “Jesus wept.” (John 11:35)

Consider the significance of these two words: Jesus wept.  If ever you need permission to grieve, here it is.  The verb used here literally means “to quake.”  The sense of it is this: Jesus didn’t simply get teary-eyed; he shook with emotion from the depth of his soul.  He bears witness to their pain and feels it himself, creating a safe place to feel, express, and share deep grief. When we experience the loss of a loved one we can bring our pain before God, pour out our heart to Him, and allow ourselves to mourn.

In our grief, we can seek solace in the presence of God. “Turn to Him as your refuge and strength, knowing that He is near to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit (Psalm 34:18).” We can rest in His everlasting loving arms and find comfort, strength and peace in His tender care.

In the midst of grief, we can find hope in the promises of God. After mourning with them, Jesus raises Lazarus from the dead.   It was only a few minutes earlier that he said to Martha, “I am the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in me, even though they die, will live.” John 11:25.  As believers, we have the blessed assurance of the resurrection hope. The Apostle Paul writes in I Thessalonians 4:13, “We grieve not as those without hope.”  Our hope is Jesus who conquered death, on the third day he arose from the grave, and offers us eternal life with him.

I pray for all of you who grieve.  May you surrender your pain, questions, and emotions to Him, and invite Him to work in your heart. Allow God to heal and restore your brokenness. May you find solace in the hope of the resurrection, knowing that death is not the end.

Jesus conquered death and offers us eternal life with Him. The separation we experience in grief is temporary, and one day we will be reunited with our loved ones in the presence of God.

Have a blessed Lent and Easter,

Pastor Ken

 

Calendar of Events

Stay up to date on all of our news and upcoming events!

Contemporary Worship

We offer a contemporary Worship service every Sunday morning at 9:00am in our Social Hall.

Ministries and Programs

We offer a variety of ministries to the community. Some people participate to learn, while others participate to teach and serve.

Glen Burnie United Methodist Church Services

 

 

Glen Burnie United Methodist Church

 

Located in the heart of old Glen Burnie on Crain Highway since 1926!

 We are so very glad you found us. Glen Burnie is a Christ-centered faith community which opens its doors and arms to all. We invite you to explore faith with us for the first time or to take the next step in your spiritual journey.

Through this website we hope you will catch the spirit of our church family – caring, friendly, and welcoming. Please join us for worship – Glen Burnie could be your next church home!

Our Mission:
To make disciples of Jesus Christ for the  transformation of the world.

Our History:
Our church has a rich and long history in Glen Burnie going back to 1860, and we invite you to come and see what we have to offer.

 

 

Sunday Morning Worship Services

 

Our  services will be held at 9:00am in the Social Hall and at 11:00am in the Sanctuary. The 11:00am services is also  on our Facebook page , YouTube, and our Radio Service WFBR 1590AM.

 

 9:00 a.m. Contemporary Worship Service

10:00 a.m. Sunday School (for All Ages)

11:00 a.m. Traditional Worship Service 

Communion at all services the first Sunday of every month.

The 11:00 a.m. service is broadcast LIVE on WFBR 1590 AM and streamed lived on Facebook.

Rev. Ken McDonald, Pastor

We would love to see everyone Sunday for worship!

Glen Burnie is a Christ-centered faith community which opens its doors and arms to all.

Glen Burnie is a Christ-centered faith community which opens its doors and arms to all.