As I observe life and human language, questions come into my mind. What are the things we never hear? There are some expressions that are common, and there are other expressions you never hear.
Examples: How come we never hear the expression “Blessed if you do and blessed if you don’t” — especially when Scripture reminds believers that they cannot be damned? Yet, we hear the opposite — negative — expression often.
But we never consider how the opposite could be true of the good things, as in “the blessings” in our lives. What are the blessings that come our way, no matter what? The incarnation of God in Jesus and the unconditional love of God come to mind.
Another question along the same lines: How come we often hear “He was reduced to tears.” But we never hear “He was elevated to tears.” Or “She was enlarged to tears.” After all, there are tears of joy. But there is an even more striking truth. The capacity to grieve is a sign of true humanity.
I feel sorry for people who can’t feel sorry. Do you know what I mean? There is something noble and humane about having the capacity, the ability to weep.
I remember Jill Briscoe, an evangelical speaker and author, talking about what constitutes “repentance.” She talked about people who did not have what we would call “proper contrition.” In other words, they didn’t really “feel sorry” for their wicked actions and their wicked lack of action.
Briscoe was a person who could find the redemptive and healing pieces in almost any of life’s puzzles. So she would counsel people worried about their lack of “proper contrition” with these words: “Are you sorry that you’re not sorry?”
She said “being sorry that you’re not sorry” is also evidence that the Holy Spirit is working in your heart and mind. You might not be directly “sorry” for some of your sins, but at least you can be “sorry that you’re not sorry.” Hey! It’s a start. And the Lord does work in mysterious ways.
Another point to ponder: Real men shed tears.
My father, Harry, was a very strong, tough veteran of World War II. I saw him weep only twice. He cried once when speaking about his comrades who were killed in the fighting he endured in Northern Africa and Italy. I also saw him weep when my mother was having open heart surgery.
Those two times I saw him weep made him more “real,” more “human” and more “caring” in my mind and heart.
Think about famous tears. Great men have been known to cry. Gen. Dwight David Eisenhower cried — as he watched the paratroopers leave for the “D-Day” battle in 1944.
Baseball great Lou Gehrig cried when he bade farewell to Yankee Stadium after being diagnosed with the deadly disease that bears his name today. Gehrig was raised in a German Lutheran home and was taught that Christians face and live reality each and every day.
In my own lifetime, I recall the ultimate television news anchor, Walter Cronkite, breaking into tears when he sadly announced the sudden death of President John F. Kennedy.
“Jesus wept,” says John 11:35. That is often called the shortest verse in the Bible. It is a short verse, but dynamite can come in small packages.
Consider this often-used line: Blessed are the broken.
And let us not forget. It was Jesus who said, “Blessed are those who mourn” in Matthew 5:4. They are blessed because God will comfort them.
That is a wonderful promise. But, I can imagine there is another dimension to it. Jesus surely knows that the ability to weep somehow makes us more human and more humane. Jesus would feel sorry for the person who can’t feel sorry. So do I. And so should you.
We talk about and hear about various “gifts of the Spirit.” Our brothers and sisters in the Eastern Orthodox churches have added to the list of such gifts. They call it “the gift of tears.” I think they really know what they are talking about. I think they really know something about the heart of God, “the sacred heart of Jesus,” as some call it, and the highest form of humanity under God.
I have no doubt. The heart that can be broken is also the heart that can bring healing to others. Broken hearts give birth to healing hands. God helps us to celebrate “the gift of tears.” Every once in a while, it’s OK for the heart to push the head aside.
I have never written a country song. But if I ever did, I would give it one of those crazy titles: “The Road Of Life Is Paved With Broken Hearts.”
Do you see the face of the poor on TV or in your own neighborhood? Have you ever felt sorry for them? If not, are you sorry that you’re not sorry? Do you have a neighbor who has experienced deep grief? Does your heart break for them?
If not, well, you get the idea.
The Rev. Larry Isbell is pastor of First Lutheran Church in Columbus. He can reached at janetti600@comcast.net.
