I picked up an old book I had not read for a couple of decades entitled “Hinds’ Feet on High Places,” by Hannah Hurnard. It’s an allegory of the journey of a young girl named “Much Afraid” who is traveling through difficulties to the High Places with the companions the Good Shepherd had given to her, Sorrow and Suffering. While traveling through the bewildering mist, Much Afraid cannot see clearly the path she should be on and begins to listen to her old relatives, Bitterness, Resentment and Self-Pity. The path began to grow more difficult and miserable and she complained bitterly to her companions Sorrow and Suffering, asking them if she can turn back, but they just continued to trudge forward as her front guard and her rearguard. They continue on this path for a very long time as the mist seemed to get thicker, colder and more drearier than ever. One day Much Afraid grew weary of allowing her old relatives to get the best of her and she decided to sing a song that Sorrow had taught her. Lo and behold, as soon as she began singing and looking forward to the hope in the words that Sorrow had given her, the mist lifted, the sun began to shine and there on the path was the Good Shepherd, who began to teach her the rest of the song. What a beautiful illustration this was to my broken heart this morning. Holidays are so incredibly difficult for me as I trudge along on my journey of grief and it is so easy for me to slip back into resentment and bitterness and self-pity and to wallow in my pain.
Luke 22:31-32 says, "Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift all of you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers." God uses our pain to prepare and equip His people just like a doctor who does surgery to improve the quality of your life or a coach who presses you to the point of exhaustion to strengthen your endurance for the race that lies ahead. C.S. Lewis said, “If you think of this world as a place intended simply for our happiness, you find it quite intolerable: think of it as a place of training and correction and it’s not so bad.” As I just marked the four-year anniversary of Elisha’s passing, I am beginning to see God’s purpose in my pain and suffering and although it has taken this long for me to ascend to this very place in my journey, I truly believe that as time goes on, I will continue to see the world from His perspective. The trials, the unsettling and undesirable sorrow that have occurred in my life will continue to have the necessary and intended refining effect and ultimately I will be able to dwell in the place God has intended for me with the peace and tranquility that only comes from spending time with Him.
Habakkuk 3:19 says, “The Sovereign LORD is my strength; He makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to tread on my high places.” Just as the sure-footed hind, or deer, scales the precipitous mountain heights without slipping, so will my faith in my Heavenly Father enable me to endure the hardships and imminent tribulation that will continue to occur as I trudge along diligently on the path the Lord has prepared for me to travel. I heard a quote by Pastor J.D. Greer that said, “God’s plan is not just to take us to heaven; it is to put heaven in us.” It takes a lifetime journey of trusting in the Good Shepherd and walking beside Him through all the sorrow and suffering to finally reach the high places He has planned for us. And when I arrive, I will consider that my present suffering is not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in me. And so, I will continue on this journey with eager anticipation to what lies ahead as my Lord continues to transform me into His image.
