Gò0dNews for Everyone
Deserted at The Cross
A
by Kristen West
re you on a faith journey? If so, here’s a little spoiler
Statistically, it’s been shown that people will avoid pain
alert—there will be countless times when you feel
at all cost. Yet, it’s also been noted that pain—hardships,
like you’re walking the path alone. For the last thirty-
difficulties, and problems—are the very areas where
five years of my life, I have been journeying with Jesus. Much
we tend to learn the best and take away the most. Life’s
of that time has been spent surrounded by people that love
deepest lessons are discovered there. In the heartbreak. In
me, care for me, and have “been there” for me. But, when
the problem. It was a truth even the Son of Man faced,
God has called me to pick up my cross (navigating divorce,
“Although He was a Son [who had never been disobedient
blending a family, dealing with the shadows of my past, and
to the Father], He learned [active] obedience through what
various other this-doesn’t-feel-good moments), it tends to be in a very personal and isolated kind of way. Now, before you all email me the contact information of your favorite Christian counselor, hear me out. Hours before Jesus was crucified, He had been praying in a garden with three of His closest friends. The burden of the next 24-hours was weighing heavily upon Him. The expectation of betrayal, abuse, and a violent execution had Jesus sweating blood. It was about to be His darkest hour. The Gospel of Mark gives us a snapshot as to the level of support Jesus received from His family and friends at this time. “Then they all deserted Him and ran away” (Mark 14:50). He was alone. As Christ-followers, we all face moments, seasons, and circumstances in our lives when it looks like we’ve
He suffered” (Hebrews 5:8, AMP). Jesus knew what it felt like to suffer…and be alone. He truly was. The good news is that we never are. His promise from
been abandoned and deserted by others. It feels like
Hebrews 13:5 that He’ll “never leave us or forsake us”
we’re facing the dark by ourselves. And, from a human
remains true and, following His resurrection, He even left
standpoint, we are. No one else can really understand
us with the Holy Spirit (also called the “Comforter” in John
what it feels like to navigate the pain of your miscarriage,
14:26)! Are you feeling alone today, friend? Isolated and like
the devastation of that trauma or addiction, or that
no one understands what you’re going through or how you’re
difficult medical diagnosis you received. No one else can
really feeling? May I introduce you to the One who never has
truly feel the weight of your broken marriage or prodigal
(or will) abandoned you? Let Him comfort and strengthen
child. Sure, friends can empathize; family can support;
you today. He sees you. He loves you. He is with you.
can (and will) feel very, very lonely.
40 // January 2022
About The Author
the church can pray. But only you can walk the path. It Kristen West works at Rock Bridge Community Church with a heart for staff leadership, development, and care. She is a communicator with a passion to inspire, encourage, and challenge others in their daily walk with Christ. She writes and publishes weekly content on her blog at kristen-west.com.
