CAN YOU GIVE ME A BOOST?
by S. (Shae) A. Cooke  copyright 2005

When I was little, I spent many summers exploring fields and ponds, traipsing through backyards and forts, climbing trees and fences. Vertically challenged, I'd find it difficult to keep up with my older siblings and neighborhood friends as they forayed into new galaxies, final frontiers, eternity and beyond. They could see over high pickets, and walls, where I couldn't without a boost up. On days when they tolerated my ankle biting, they'd intertwine their fingers and fashion a 'stoop' with their hands. I'd place one foot on the makeshift stair, step up, and it would be just enough to thrust or propel me, so I could see over, or climb whatever I needed to scale in order to keep up.

If you're hurting or going through a time of immense sadness, distress, spiritual darkness, fear, or despair, then this Easter message is for you, especially if you're feeling too confused to sort things out, or feel shame for being 'weak', or can't seem to find God in your circumstances or through your heartache. I felt led to share with you today, not only because I've been where you are, but because I want you to know that you're only human, that it's okay, and that many have gone before us, who have suffered the same, and come through to allow God's glory, His mercy, His plans and His purposes to become evident. God is more than able to give us the boost up we need to overcome our darkness. This message is ministering to me, as I write, as much if not more than it may minister to you. There is a way to see over our circumstances, yes, even climb up and over them. The enemy would like nothing better than to keep you in that dark place. Once you're there, he digs the pit deeper until it seems impossible to see over the edge, and eventually, climb out. However, Satan is a liar, because God's word tells us that He will never leave us nor forsake us. God's hands are ever ready to give us that boost up, out of the pit, and over the walls and mountains that seem so high.

I remember when my mother died years ago. I couldn't see through my tears. I became so grief-stricken that I couldn't feel the outpouring of love, nor appreciate the prayers that went up on my behalf. I couldn't feel the ever-present comfort that was there from the Lord. I lost my spiritual understanding, my faith, and my reasoning. I could only feel death, fear, and confusion, and hope seemed light years away. In the Resurrection message, we learn that Mary Magdalene experienced a time when she couldn't see past her own heartache to understand, believe, and heal, and we see the apostle John, paralyzed by fear, as he struggles to understand the disappearance of Christ's body, with his intellect, rather than faith. Through their experiences, we gain a leg up . . . an insight into a break toward freedom, and to those new frontiers in our walk with Jesus.

Shortly after Jesus' death, (on the first day of the week), Mary went into the tomb early; while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb. Still numb with grief, the memory of her Lord's brutal death yet crimson, her eyes still swollen from the endless cascade of sorrowful tears, all she could think of was that someone had stolen Jesus' body. The discovery of the empty tomb brought her only more despair. It seemed to heap itself upon her. Mary was so overcome with gloom that instead of searching for the answers, in her confusion, she ran and told the disciples hoping they could do something about it. She ran away from the tomb, and went to Simon Peter and the other disciple, (the one whom Jesus loved), and probably crying said, "They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him."

John and Peter raced to the tomb as soon as they heard. Although they were still grieving their loss, it didn't stop them from looking for answers. John outran Peter and arrived first. He stooped and peered in, and saw the linens lying there. However, he didn't go any further. He was frightened, and at first allowed his fear to keep him from going all the way inside to find the answers. What thoughts did he have that could scare him so? I know the hair on my own skin would have bristled with fear as I imagined all sorts of possibilities. Yes, John would have had to face his worst fears if he entered the tomb.

But oh, bold Peter. Verses 6-7 reveal that he stepped right in to try to find answers. He didn't hesitate. He observed and searched. He looked and noticed the grave clothes lying there, and the napkin, which had covered Christ's head in a separate spot neatly rolled up. He examined the cloths and the empty grave.

Now John must have watched as Peter searched for clues, because eventually he joined Peter in the tomb. In addition, verse 8 tells us that when he went in, he saw and believed. Although Peter hadn't yet found any answers, the moment John entered the tomb, took that step, pushed past his fears, he suddenly saw with a spiritual sight and he believed. Somehow, his spirit made the connection and although he didn't have answers, he felt faith well up and he knew that something miraculous had happened. He understood by faith, rather than intellect. God allowed him to understand with His spirit, and it was only later that John finally understood with his intellect as he discovered the fulfillment of the life, death and resurrection prophecy's of the Old Testament.

Dear, sweet, loving Mary. She couldn't get past the loss of the Savior, and now the disappearance of His body. She was still reeling from the huge range of emotions that besot her over that past week. Long after the disciples left, she continued to weep and grieve at the outside entrance to the tomb. Every time she peered inside, her heart broke and she became overwhelmed with emotion. She couldn't see with the eyes of faith that John saw. She couldn't see through her own grief. Her tears blinded her to understanding and her grief and misery became a spiritual barrier to actually seeing what was happening, or what had happened... Mary was at a very low point. Her Lord, brutally killed, and then His precious body, missing!

Poor Mary, she was in so much agony, that when the two angels in white asked her why she was weeping, she answered their questions with a cry of sorrow and confusion. "Because they have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid him." It didn't even register that these men were angels. Her grief quenched her own spirit of understanding, and so much so, that through swollen eyes, and blurred vision, she did not even recognize Jesus when she first saw Him standing behind her a short while later. Her misery could have caused her to miss the blessing of Jesus' resurrection. But Praise the Lord, it didn't. She broke through the misery long enough to find an answer. When the man she thought was the gardener spoke her name, she searched His face. There was a familiarity in the voice that called out so tenderly to her. "RAB-BONI!" (Teacher!) It was JESUS, the one she loved SO MUCH. He'd been there the whole time. Mary looked one more time for answers in the garden of suffering and pain and found joy, happiness and purpose.

She resurrected Jesus in her suffering and experienced joy! Hallelujah!

BOOST UP#1
RUN FOR ANSWERS

Which way are you running? Don't allow doubt, or confusion in with lots of questions. Run for the answers! Search the Word. Ask God.

BOOST UP #2
EXAMINE THE PROBLEM

Even though times may be dark, fearful, confusing, sorrowful, examine the problem from every angle, and you may find that this trial, this desert, this suffering, is a fulfillment of a divine plan for your life. God may remind you of a promise He's given you in the past, may cause you remembrance of a previous time where He has delivered you, and suddenly, your spiritual eyes open, and you believe, as John did.

BOOST UP #3
RECOGNIZE THE FEAR, DETERMINE THE CAUSE, PRESS THROUGH
 
Sometimes when we are facing difficult times, we become paralyzed with fear, too, and it's the cause of this fear we simply do not want to face. And so, we hesitate to delve further, to examine the wrappings, and to discover the clues that may help us find the answers to our questions. Stand on God's Promises. Enter the tomb.

BOOST UP #4
BELIEVE BY FAITH THE THINGS YOU DON'T UNDERSTAND 

You may not understand the who, what, why's and wherefores, of what you're facing. You may not have the answers to your sadness, fears, or gloom. However, you can accept by faith that Jesus won't leave you. That He's there right in your circumstance. That he will raise you up out of your shadows and into His sunbeam. Just say it, even if you don't feel it. Say, I believe.

BOOST UP #5
RECOGNIZE AND DISCOVER JESUS THROUGH THE TEARS

Discover the miracle. Turn your eyes toward Jesus through the misery. Keep looking until you see Jesus. Strain. Squint. Put on your bifocals. Whatever you have to do to recognize Him.

BOOST UP #6
LOOK ONCE AGAIN FOR ANSWERS

If you don't find the answers right away . . . don't give up!

Mary finally saw, felt, believed, through her tears and her misery. She went and said to the disciples, "I have seen the Lord," and I know that will happen through your heartache, too. 

FOR I CONSIDER THAT THE SUFFERINGS OF THIS PRESENT TIME ARE NOT WORTHY TO BE COMPARED WITH THE GLORY WHICH SHALL BE REVEALED IN US.  Romans 8:18 (NKJV)

I pray that your heavenly father will never lead you where His amazing grace will not sustain you.
Happy Easter!

Shae