Paula Olander

John 16:20-21

Monday, March 19

20 Very truly, I tell you, you will weep and mourn, but the world will rejoice; you will have pain, but your pain will turn into joy. 21 When a woman is in labor, she has pain, because her hour has come. But when her child is born, she no longer remembers the anguish because of the joy of having brought a human being into the world. – John 16:20-21

I gave birth to two daughters now in their forties. I can still vividly recall the emotions of the pain and intensity of labor and birth. Exhausted as I was though, my joy was indescribable as I held each baby! The entire childbirth experience, the miracle of this messy physical struggle as it unfolds, bringing new life into the world is powerfully human and beautifully holy. What a juxtaposition of pain and joy...struggling which brings forth the promise and hope of new life.

During their last meal together, Jesus is preparing His beloved disciples for the significance of the events about to occur. "You will grieve, but your grief will turn to joy." Using the analogy of childbirth, Jesus predicts that in their grief they will struggle like a woman in childbirth. But, Jesus also knows that their anguish will turn to joy after He is resurrected just as mother experiences incredible joy holding her baby after childbirth. These faithful followers have witnessed His miracles, his teachings and his painful death. Now, even though they can't yet fully comprehend the hope and promise that Jesus' death and resurrection will bring, they believe Him.

Questions for reflection:

• When have you experienced a time of emotional struggle followed by great joy?
• What helped you move out of your struggling time into inner peace and joy?

Prayer:

Lord, open my eyes so that I can recognize the ways through which you provide guidance and direction for me when I struggle. Amen