My family and I love the song “Way Maker”. Actually, love may not be a strong enough word. Whenever we hear it, we stop everything and start singing at the top of our lungs (and let’s just say that some of us are better singers than others. It all sounds the same to God, right?).
“Way Maker” is just one of those songs that stirs praise in my heart. I have yet to make it through the chorus without tears streaming down my cheeks. It is a simple chorus really, four names of Jesus, “Way Maker, Miracle Worker, Promise Keeper, Light in the Darkness.” followed by a confession of truth,”My God, that is who You are.” Few things are as powerful as taking words from the Bible and using them to give praise, but as beautiful as the chorus of this song is, it isn’t the part that makes my tears turn to all out weeping. Those words come a bit later. They start quietly and steadily build to a finale that leaves you shouting praises to the heaven.
“Even when I don’t see it you’re working. Even when I don’t feel it you’re working. You never stop, You stop never working. You never stop, You stop working.”
Good Friday always leaves me wrecked. The very thought of Jesus enduring the pain, suffering, and humiliation that He did, just to save me from my own wretched self breaks me. It brings me to my knees and (of course) makes me weep (because post cancer, I am a bit of a weeper).
I always try to put myself in the shoes of Jesus’s followers and disciples. What must they have felt on that first Good Friday? Their beloved teacher, friend, and God was gone. They had watched Him die an excruciating death. Did they feel like God wasn’t working? That all work had died on that cross with Jesus?
But, the beautiful truth was that He was working. He had never stopped working, not for a second. All of it was part of the plan from the beginning of time in the Garden of Eden. In the hour that looked the darkest, Jesus was about to crucify death and sin FOR ALL TIME. He was without a question working. He had never stopped. We just needed to wait three dark days.
This Good Friday, we find ourselves in some dark days, suffering through a long period of waiting. It would be so easy to say God isn’t working, but please do not believe this lie. Listen to this song. Better yet, sing it. Shout it. Know and believe the truth that God never stops working. He doesn’t waste pain. There is a purpose in all of this and we can trust Him with it.
“It is finished.” Praise God! Happy Easter.
The In Between 