Lost and Found

Preparing for battle was an odious task, but, as a Christian, I had all the armor I needed. My “Pull yourself up by your bootstraps†shoes kept my feet safe from shrapnel on the ground. “For I know the plans I have for you†protected my right arm while “Plans to prosper you†shielded the right. I happily donned my helmet of “Rejoice in all things†and my breastplate of “God loves a happy heart.†My shield of “Be strong and courageous†completed the ensemble, and I was ready for anything. No pain or hurt would get me today!

I shuffled slowly out of my house, weighed down by my armor but ready for anything. A few minor inconveniences tried to make their way through, but I deflected them with ease. Insults from my classmates glanced right off. A failing grade? That won’t bring me down! I was encased in my walking fortress, and nothing could get to me.

My armor almost slipped when I got home and heard my parents bickering, but I tightened it quickly. I’d gotten good at that lately—it was a reflex now. After all, I had to stay safe from the pain. God wouldn’t want me to be sad.

“We need to talk.†I lifted my shield.

“You know how Grandma’s been sick lately?†I cringed, glancing at the dents in my armor that her sickness had caused. That had almost gotten through.

Dad sighed. “I…I’m sorry. I don’t know how to say this…Grandma passed away today. I’m really sorry.â€

“No…No!,” I thought. I retreated to my room, running from this attack, from the pain. I yanked at the straps on my armor, desperate to tighten them. But no matter how hard I pulled, I could feel my armor getting looser.

My eyes blurred with tears, but I felt someone gently tug at my breastplate until it clattered to the ground. A dart of pain pricked my heart. I felt the gauntlets on my arms being loosened and the shoes sliding off of my feet. My grip on my shield began to relax, and it was taken from my hands. As more sorrow snuck into my heart, I collapsed down onto the floor, trying to catch a glimpse of this person through my eye slits.

Finally, the helmet lifted off my head, and there He was.

Jesus, weeping. • Taylor Eising

• In today’s story, the main character puts on his own armor, sometimes even taking Scripture out of context to justify half-truths about God. Read Ephesians 6:10-19. What is God’s armor? How does His armor show we need to depend on Him, not ourselves?

• In building his own armor, the main character references some verses or ideas from verses, including Joshua 1:9, Jeremiah 29:11, and Philippians 4:4. The main issue is with the way this character uses those verses, because he assumes (1) he will never experience suffering or (2) he must be happy even while facing suffering. Sometimes, Scripture can be misused and misunderstood to make it seem like we should never be sad, but that’s not true. Jesus laments the brokenness in this world, and He calls us to do the same. Through the psalms, God’s people lament before Him when they are facing the deep hurt of this broken world. Read Romans 8:23-26, 34, Hebrews 4:14-16, and 1 Peter 5:7. How and why can we bring our pain to Jesus instead of hiding from it?

• One day, Jesus will return to get rid of all sin, suffering, brokenness, and death, so we won’t need to lament any more (Revelation 21:1-5). How does that truth provide comfort in hard times?

• We are called to be joyful, but we aren’t always called to be happy. What is the difference between joy and happiness? How does Jesus provide us with joy?

• How can ignoring our pain lead to more pain?

The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. Psalm 34:18 (NIV)

Read Verses:

Luke 15:1-10; Romans 10:9-13