Where is the Light Among Us?

Where is the light among us?

We see violence and disunity, 

broken promises and severed relationships, 

loss and ailing health. 

Life is rarely glorious.

It's often more mundane than we'd like to admit..to others or ourselves. 

We're obsessed with 'balance' and aren't sure how to get it, 

want unity but are isolated, 

try to make positive changes, but feel enslaved to the past. 

How can You, being sinless, and in your glory, relate to broken people like us? 

Do you really know our shame? 

Can you really feel our limitations? 

We're skeptical. 

Not always, but a terminal diagnosis doesn't help. 

Nor does the divorce that broke our family, 

or the addiction that took our friend. 

Surely you can't know what it's like to pinch pennies, 

to face job instability, 

depression, 

barrenness, 

chronic pain,

or the full and lingering effects of our abuse.  

A little more justice wouldn't hurt anyone. 

We confess our fear that you can't address these things, or don't care to. 

So thank you that it's Friday.

On most Fridays we sigh in relief of finished work.

On most Fridays we break from the week's usual rigor.

On most Fridays we enjoy what we have anticipated. 

Perhaps this day is similar, but there's more. 

On a particular Friday, You aligned yourself with the world in its deepest disorder.

You insisted on reconciliation. 

You set aside your power.

You let yourself experience death.

The cross reveals a broken Christ.

The same Christ who lived among us, 

the same Christ who was rejected, 

the same Christ who, even knowing his future glory, grieved the pain he was about to endure.

Light is among us, and in us.

We don't know this through easier parenting, thriving relationships or political peace.

We aren't reassured of this through spouses or successes or sinning less often.

In the cross we know and are assured that You are God,
one who saves broken people at an incalculable cost to Yourself. 

The cross addressed what we once doubted, and addresses what we still doubt.

Thank You that that Friday was a part of Your story.

And thank You that it was not the end of it.
Would You teach us the significance of this Good Friday?
Invite us to know You and to worship You through what we come to see.