UALC Daily Worship: Empty Arms

Isaiah 40:31

Verse Concepts

Yet those who wait for the LORD Will gain new strength; They will mount up with wings like eagles, They will run and not get tired, They will walk and not become weary.
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Isaiah 40:31

Verse Concepts

Isaiah 40:31

Verse Concepts

Isaiah 40:31

Verse Concepts

There is a box in my room that I love, and hate. It's beautiful. It is made of a light colored stone with a smooth, glassy surface. Sitting on top is an angel with one leg crossed, and the other leg hanging over the side of the box. He is gazing at a bird sitting on his arm. Behind the angel is a black and gold plaque that reads:

Malachi Joshua Dufek

Our Beloved Son - John 11:26

We didn't get the chance to bring him home like we had hoped and prayed. Instead, we brokenheartedly (and reluctantly) handed his body over to a funeral director as we were released from the hospital. With the ounce of strength we had left, we walked out. No car seat. No flowers or balloons. No baby. Nothing that proved to the world what we had just gained, and just lost.

I can remember a specific night shortly after. My postpartum body in pain, but mostly my heart enduring a pain I didn't know existed. I was laying in bed. It was dark, and everyone in the house was asleep. That was my time to be alone with God, and pour out my pain. That night, I asked God a question.

"What am I supposed to do with these empty arms?"

Before I even finished asking, God responded.

"Worship Me."

I paused and again, I asked him, "God, what am I supposed to do with these empty arms?"

And again He said, "Worship Me."

No matter what pain we face; whether tragedy or death, illness or pain...God wants our hearts. He wants us to hand over our sorrow so He can replace it with His peace. Only then are we capable to worshiping Him through grief. Only when will our strength be replenished and hope restored.

Psalm 2:11 & 12b say - Serve the Lord with reverent awe and worshipful fear; rejoice and be in high spirits and trembling...O blessed are all those who seek refuge and put their trust in Him!

The word 'blessed' in this verse means "happy, fortunate, to be envied". How could someone who needs refuge be happy or fortunate? Or envied?

Matthew 11:28 - "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest."

Isaiah 40:31 - "Yet those who wait for the Lord will gain new strength; they will mount up with wings like eagles. They will run and not get tired, they will walk and not become weary."

Everyday, for the rest of my life, I will walk past my son's urn. And we will probably always have a love/hate relationship. But peace and strength that come from God surpass all understanding. They amaze fellow believers and witness to non-believers. Even better, they give us the strength to hold up empty arms to the Lord and worship Him. Fully, and without reserve.

And that is a beautiful thing.

Questions to Ponder This Week:

1. What are your 'empty arms'? (Pain, loss, etc.)

2. How are you worshiping God through your grief?

(If you aren't currently experiencing grief, answer the questions in past tense)