The Burdened Life Under the Sun
“‘Alas! there are some wounds that cannot be wholly cured,’ said Gandalf. ‘I fear it may be so with mine,’ said Frodo. ‘There is no real going back. Though I may come to the Shire, it will not seem the same; for I shall not be the same. I am wounded with knife, sting, and tooth, and a long burden. Where shall I find rest?’ Gandalf did not answer.”1
If you have ever experienced an extended season of pain and misery, you understand the heavy-laden heart of Frodo. Bilbo puts it differently:
“‘I am old, Gandalf. I don’t look it, but I am beginning to feel it in my heart of hearts. Well-preserved indeed!’ he snorted. ‘Why, I feel all thin, sort of stretched, if you know what I mean: like butter that has been scraped over too much bread. That can’t be right.’”2
Protracted battle, pain, and grief takes a toll on us. It is hard to express the feeling; sometimes only analogies suit. It is a feeling that cannot really be expressed by words.
The battle drags on so long that it almost becomes a part of who you are, and yet you know that it isn’t meant to be this way.
When the pain is prolific and the time is tremendous and the hope is hopeless…what does one do?
When one has heard every cliché under the sun and is still limping like Jacob and burdened like Christian…where does one go?
The only hope that this battle weary pilgrim has managed to find in the blackness and sorrow of life under the sun comes from the one who knows the intimacy of pain and sorrow better than all of us:
Hope for today, “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28–30)
And hope for tomorrow, “For the Lamb in the midst of the throne will be their shepherd, and he will guide them to springs of living water, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.” (Revelation 7:17) “He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” (Revelation 21:4)
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