Blogging Through Embracing Gethsemane: Navigating Life’s Darkest Moments - Exploring The Depths of Gethsemane

As I continue to blog through my book “Embracing Gethsemane: Navigating Life’s Darkest Moments”, I come to the introduction to Chapter Two: Exploring the Depths of Gethsemane. I reflect on my mother’s journey with cancer. This was a painful experience for our entire family. However, her journey through suffering is an excellent example of how we might turn suffering into a transformative experience.

An excerpt from Embracing Gethsemane: Navigating Life’s Darkest Moments.

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My mom's fight with cancer was extremely tough for her – and also for those who cared about her. I did my best to visit her as often as possible, but living far away made it difficult. Even though each visit was a reminder of what she was going through, we filled these occasions with a lot of love and tried our best to enjoy the time we had together.

But one visit wasn't like the others. I showed up at the farmhouse expecting her to greet me with a smile like she always did, but that day was different. I walked in and saw her sitting on the edge of her bed, her back to me. She turned around when I got closer and instead of her usual smile, I could see she had been crying. Before saying anything else, she asked me, “If God loves me, why is he allowing this to happen to me?” I was speechless. I didn't know what to say. No matter how many words raced through my head, none of them seemed appropriate to answer her heartbreaking question. My mom had been a Christian for a long time. However, her suffering was so extreme that she didn’t have the tools to process it appropriately. Neither did I, a pastor. Like the rest of us, she struggled to make sense of it all. I wish I could go back to that moment and share with mom what I have learned through my own Gethsemane moment. Maybe I could have been a better son and passed along some encouragement during her darkest hours.

My mother's question, a common refrain in our hardest times, represents an attempt to reconcile faith with the harsh reality of pain. It mirrors the Gethsemane moment, where, in extreme agony, Jesus’ human impulse to evade suffering collided with God’s plan and purposes. These difficult times of reflection echo the tension between our limited understanding and God’s wisdom.

However, the Gethsemane moment signifies more than a question: it's a surrender. Jesus' prayer, “Not my will, but yours be done,” demonstrated how he set aside his own desires to trust God's greater plan. Likewise, you encounter a choice when you ask, “Why is this happening to me?” You will choose either to surrender and trust in God's wisdom or to cling to your limited understanding. Recognizing the need to surrender and trust, you begin to view suffering, doubt, and surrender as intertwined aspects of your spiritual journey. You ask challenging questions in your pain, but in your Gethsemane moment, you also echo Jesus' surrender, allowing your trials to shape your trust in God's plan. The question then evolves from “Why is this happening?” to “How might I grow through this experience?” And as you surrender, you unlock the transformative potential of your Gethsemane moment, aligning your will with God's, even amid suffering.

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Reflecting on my mother's journey through cancer has deeply influenced my understanding of pain and faith. It's in these crucibles of suffering that our own Gethsemane moments emerge. These are times when we face overwhelming pain and uncertainty, much like Jesus did in the Garden of Gethsemane. Yet, within these moments of profound struggle, the potential for transformation lies.

I invite you to reflect on your own Gethsemane moment. Instead of asking, "Why is this happening to me?" consider asking, "How might I grow from this?" It's not an easy shift, but it opens the door to viewing your trials as opportunities for growth and deeper trust in God's plan. Just as Jesus surrendered his will in Gethsemane, you too can find strength in surrendering your life to God. Let your pain guide you towards a greater understanding and faith, transforming your suffering into a journey of spiritual growth.

I invite you to share your reflections with me at jim@thechaplainwriter.com. Let me know if my mother's story helps you through your own Gethsemane moment. You can also leave a message in the comments below. I pray that, whatever your Gethsemane moment may be, you find encouragement in your time of suffering.

I explore these thoughts and more in my new book Embracing Gethsemane: Navigating Life’s Darkest Moments. You can purchase the book here: https://amzn.to/3IwgFHa.

Jim

The Chaplain Writer.