If I am honest, I have to admit that one of the things is struggle with is “where is God in this world.” I mean, look at the news and see the brokenness. It really gets the best of you sometimes.

In my last sermon I preached i was able to find comfort in the story of Jesus crying when Lazarus died. My premise was this, if Jesus knew he was going to raise his friend from the dead, why did he cry? Was it just for show? Well, to make a long story short, i think part of it has to do with the fact that Jesus knew this world is broken and it’s not supposed to be this way. Death, pain, crying. This is not how is supposed to be. I think part of the reason Jesus cried was because of the pain Mary and Martha were going through. To me, it is comforting to know that Jesus cries with us as we go through this broken world. And, it is also comforting to know that Jesus’ work on the cross and resurrection points to a day when this world will be made new.

But, if we’re honest, we do live in a broken world. I get sick of hearing of all the brokenness and its nice to see the “exception” every once and a while.

It’s stories like these that give me hope… because it’s hard to deny that God is part of them. (Thanks Bruce for the link).

Charlie Peacock has a song called “Dear Exception” on his album “Everything that’s on my mind.” The lyrics go like this:

Under cloudy skies we live our lives
Struggling day to day as trials arise
Only when the light of Christ breaks through
Do we find exception to this rule

Dear exception, please come soon, I miss your company
Dear exception, don’t delay I will wait patiently
Will I see you in the kindness of a friend
Or the beauty of the setting sun?

Refrain:
I have to stop myself from trying
Trying to predict what might be coming my way
I must learn to trust in You
For in Your perfection lies the mystery of exceptions

CHORUS
…Will I see you in the laughter of a child
Or the beauty of a moonlit night?
…For in Your perfection lies the mystery of exceptions

The song is set up beautifully with a simple piano and Charlie Peacock’s voice. Sometimes, this encourages me through rough stretches in life…