Tears

Tears...a reservoir where the wounded and broken draw. A storehouse that releases pent-up emotions of hurt, anger, sorrow, pain, and even gratitude and joy.

It seems a very strange thing that God thought important, this capacity to cry. Even Jesus cried. You've probably noticed that most of us are fairly private when it comes to crying and I wonder why that is. Considered by some as a show of weakness they, and me included, fight back tears not wanting them to be seen or known. Which leads me to ask, “What are tears for?"

Are tears the body’s way of healing?  Are tears a way of showing how deeply we love or care?  Are they to express how significantly something affects us, whether overwhelmed with frustration or overcome with joy?

This tear thing holds some kind of importance, otherwise God would not have made a point about it’s future absence when He said He would “wipe every tear from [our] eyes.” (Rev 7:17)  It seems as though He wants to be the one to personally wipe away our tears.

In the case of this verse, I think He is referring to all the tears of hurt.  Because I cannot imagine not shedding tears of joy at the first sights and sounds that await us as we walk through those gates to a heavenly abode.

There must be an important reason we have been given the ability to cry. David talks openly about his tears, multiple times. Was that an endearing trait that God loved about him, a man after Gods own heart? Was it his vulnerability and openness that God adored?

I think He just wants the kind of relationship with us where we find it comfortable to express all our emotions in front of Him. And He wants to be there to comfort us when those emotions are hurting His child. 

It's a wonderful thing when we have a spouse or loved one with whom we trust enough to share our tears. But when there seems to be no one present, and you feel very much alone, just remember there is Someone who sees the tears of the heart and who is ever ready to listen and comfort those tears away.



10/11/2016