Throw the Punches

I was reading the story of Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead in John 11 one night.. What stuck out to me this time was Mary's reaction when she saw Jesus. She didn't bow down to Him and praise Him for all his miraculous works or sing "Holy Holy Holy" to Him with all 4 verses. She didn't even ask Him to do anything.

She complained. In her pain, she complained to Him!

"If only you had been here, my brother would not have died."

I imagine her words were cold and bitter from her grief. I imagine her mourning veil covered little of her emotions as she told the King of Kings how broken she was that He didn't take action.

It reminded me of the fact that while honor and glory is always and will forever be due to God, He can roll with the punches. He can handle the boos. He can withstand the rotten tomatoes thrown in His face. And He will still love us.

Jacob wrestled with God and got a broken hip from it. But he wrestled with God nonetheless. God can wrestle and still love. God can be beaten and still love. God can be stoned and still love. God can be hated and still love. His love for us doesn't depend on our emotions.

If you are ever struggling and feel bad about dishing it out to God, dish it. He knows the condition of your heart and the pain or anger you are dealing with. And He can take it. Throw the punches, but know that He's still God. While things we do or say can hurt Him, it never changes His love for us.

And that's the truest love you can ever know.

Happy Valentine's Day!



(Original post 11/10/08. Slightly modified.)