“But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: ‘Be holy, because I am holy.” I Peter 1:15-16
One of the biggest things I’ve learned over the last couple of years more than anything is that with grief, with loss — comes change. And in the face of such change there is the temptation to force myself through the briar patch despite the snags and pain with all of its’ lasting wounds and scars. At times, it feels like it would be more comfortable if I simply stopped and settled in place. However, the problem with sitting in the briar patch are those pesky thorns starring me in the face and their scratch at every move I make. Those painful briars tell me it’s safer and hurts less if I just sit still. And when I do, everyone hears me say things like — “I’m over here . . . do you mind if I just talk from here? It hurts too much to come to you!” “That’s ok, it’s just where I am . . . just getting used to it, I hope you don’t mind.” “I’m doing well, no I’m great, really. I’m just going to . . . ouch! That hurt!”
But, God didn’t call me to live my life in the briar patch. Briar patches are places to hide and sulk. God called me to live life in the abundance of Him without exception. He calls me to live in His holiness and run into His arms instead places that lie about their safety and comfort. The hurtful den of that patch is a place where the healing bed of His salvation can also be found. The mere idea of stepping out of the briars without hurt, without pain . . . with healing and the assurance of His abundant love is the essence of joy, comfort, peace and hope.
There is no peace in the heart of those in the patch, but there is healing in the heart of the one who takes refuge in Him. He has called me to be holy as He is holy — to live in the truth of who I am, regardless of my circumstances. That is joy unspeakable.
When change comes because of grief and loss, remember there is no getting used to that! God called me to rest in the knowledge of who I am in Christ, not in getting used to the briar patch — that’s not who I am!
“We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. II Corinthians 10:5