May 13 The Solitary Journey

Each heart knows its own bitterness, and no one else can share its joy. ~Proverbs 14:10

Even in laughter the heart may ache, and joy may end in grief. ~Proverbs 14:13

Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. ~Matthew 5:4

Rejoice with those who rejoice, mourn with those who mourn. ~Romans 12:15

Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy. He who goes out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with him. ~Psalm 126:5-6

You turned my wailing into dancing. You removed my sack cloth and clothed me with joy, that my heart may sing to You and not be silent. O Lord, my God, I will give You thanks forever! ~Psalm 30 11:12

For all our talk of community, which is right and good, there is also an individuality and uniqueness to life that cannot be denied. There are general observations made about the human experience. We use statistics to create general principles of how men and women experience life. There have been different personality tests created that divide us into categories to explain varied differences, but we are also each unique in how we view and live life. God intended for it to be that way and He says, “It is good.”

We can get a really strong sense of that uniqueness, for example, when one spouse receives a health diagnoses that the other cannot truly share. The other spouse can be supportive and attentive, but they are not experiencing all of the pain and internal thought life of the one with the diagnoses. As parents, we may watch our children suffer through burdens that we cannot fully share. We can sit with them and do our best to bring them comfort, but we cannot remove their burden or truly heal the hurt though we wish we could. “Each heart knows its own bitterness, and no one else can share its joy.”

Of course, the reverse is also true, that what excites us is also unique. We can generally share positive experiences, but for some, or maybe just one, an experience can hit the mark, bringing joy and satisfaction beyond what others know. It is said that we are each as unique as the snowflake; no two are alike, though they are all made of the same stuff.

However, even with our uniqueness, our creator knows. He knows what excites us and He knows what breaks our hearts. More than that, He designed each of us for our own unique joys and sorrows. He knows what hurts us and what will bring us comfort. He is the only one that can be all that we need in any situation.

Then, there are the mixed blessings that may begin in joy, such as the birth of a child, but end in sorrow, if the child doesn’t thrive. “Even in laughter the heart may ache, and joy may end in grief.” Or, there are the experiences that appear to be tragedies that end up as blessings, such as loss of a job, that enables someone to end up with a better one. Joy and sorrow are so intermixed. Yet, our feelings are a blessing from God that enable us to appreciate more fully whatever experience we are going through.  

How sad for those going through trials and fears who do not know the One who is the best to walk with them through it. How tragic for the one who experiences joy and does not know the One to truly thank and praise. How blessed we are to know our Creator and how wonderful when we can be open to all that we may receive in the life He has designed for us. Some is difficult, but it helps to make us stronger and more mature.  Some is wonderful and inspires us to be grateful.

Each one of us is like a unique part of His great puzzle that is forming a portrait of all He truly is. Also, each unique piece is designed to be connected to its unique neighbors. Think of the “pieces” surrounding you and the joy experienced when that one unique piece falls into place. What sorrow there is when a piece is missing, but, oh, what joy when it is found, and the puzzle is completed! There are pieces missing that He calls us to help Him find. There are those He has formed us to uniquely serve.

Prayer: Thank You Father for all of who I am. Thank you for understanding me and sympathizing in a deep way that no one else can. Thank you too, for the extent to which we are able to share each other’s joys and bear one another’s burdens. Do use me Lord, to connect with other people and help some of them find their true place in a relationship with You. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Song:  Alone Yet Not Alone