From Death to Life

Changes of the season are evident in creation, and I can’t help but muse on the wonder of God’s work as flowers begin to blossom again and plants rise from their seasonal slumber. What a beautiful, humble thing it is to witness something go from death to life. We come to expect it within nature, but what about in our own lives or the lives of others?

It sounds impossible for a dead person to be raised to life. It's why Jesus' resurrection is a stumbling block for so many. How about a dead heart? Do we ever fully realize how much of a miracle it is for a hardened heart to be softened? A sinful heart to be forgiven? Jesus recognizes this paradox.

In Luke 5:17-26, the Pharisees accuse him of blasphemy as he forgives another person’s sin. Jesus responds, "Which is easier: to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up and walk’? But I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.” And Jesus proceeds to command the paralyzed man to walk. He has the authority to heal not only physically but also our deepest spiritual needs.

Thinking back on the past season of my life, I experienced a miracle that only God could do, but it wasn’t in the way I expected. Yet he knew that it was exactly what I needed.

About two years ago, my husband and I were expecting our first child when we found out that our son had a fatal diagnosis. My world was certainly rocked in that moment, turned upside down, and so was my faith. How could God allow something like this to happen? It didn’t seem fair.

Nonetheless, we knew we served a miracle-working God. We knew he could heal the sick, give sight to the blind and make the lame walk again. We knew he had the power to raise the dead. Throughout our many medical appointments, God was always faithful to give us such peace and assurance that his presence was with us even when met with a scary diagnosis.

At 32 weeks, though, our son came into the world without a heartbeat, and again, I felt like my faith faltered – as well as my own heart.

It didn’t hit me until several months after our loss that the Lord had done a miracle in my life – he had taken a heart filled with hopelessness and restored it to one of hope.

It wasn’t obvious at first, but it became evident that my heart was distant from the Lord since our loss. I had failed to see his faithfulness in my grief. Over time, though, the Lord taught me the art of lament. I did not need to dispel my doubt and heartache, but rather I needed to pour it out to him – and I did for quite a while and continue to this day when it arises.

He showed me that he was a safe place, a refuge, a strong tower to run to with my pain. And with each confession and cry, I saw the Lord slowly mending my broken heart.

It didn’t hit me until several months after our loss that the Lord had done a miracle in my life – he had taken a heart filled with hopelessness and restored it to one of hope. He turned my sorrow into joy, my “mourning into dancing” (Ps. 30:11). He raised me from death to life.

This has also made me consider the miracle of our salvation. In the moment, I think we know how incredible it is to be forgiven of our sins and to be born again into a living hope (1 Pet. 1:3). But as we continue in our walks with the Lord, it is tempting to lose sight of the miraculous saving grace the Lord has poured into us as we are bombarded with distractions and circumstances.

If we were to ponder more on the miracle of salvation – being raised from spiritual death to new life – would we hold onto his faithfulness even tighter? Would we trust that he will continue to be a miracle-working God throughout even our worst circumstances? He’s saved us once – in our greatest need; how much more will he save us in life?

Friends, in this Lenten season, let us hold fast to God’s mercy and grace in bringing us from death to life. May we hold fast to his character and promises because that is what will carry us through the dark nights of our souls.

We may live in a world where death still exists, but we serve a God who has defeated death! He alone can revive a heart rendered lifeless by the brokenness of this world and restore us to a place of hope. I am living proof of it.

- Written by TWR Women of Hope Marketing Coordinator

Brianna Ulasi