“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction so that we will be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.”-2 Corinthians 1:3-4

As I sit in a local coffee shop, I find myself staring outside at the sunlight shining. It isa beautiful sight to see.

I have overheard several people say, “Praise God for the sun. It could be worse. It could be rain or snow.”

It made me think, “Why can’t we praise God for the rain and/or snow?”

The answer…

It is easier to see God in things of beauty than to work to find Him in the mess.

Yet, it seems in scripture, that Christ was found during the ugliest times and circumstances. He was not found with blooming roses, but wilted dandelions. People who were sick were in His company, not healthy.

He made sure to tell people who were broken to come to Him. He wanted to be in their presence and they longed to be in His. The most sacred was found in the messiness of life.

The snow and rain are just as essential to life as the sunlight. The homeless man on the corner, longing to be touched and acknowledged is just as essential to discovering God, than sitting with the most esteemed pastor.

In fact, it could be argued through Scripture, that being with the outcasts and “ugly” in society standards, is more important than sitting at the table with rich community leaders.

The only problem is, it takes work to seek the sacred in the mess. We have to get down on the ground and talk to the downtrodden. We have to listen and experience pain in and through their stories. We have to look into the eyes of the oppressed and walk in empathy. We have to put ourselves on their level and that takes work because it causes discomfort.

It is not wrong to praise God for the sunshine, but we should be able to find God in the rain and snow.

We need to find God in the wonderful circumstances, but God can be found in the pain and discomfort as well.

Perhaps, those who are going through the struggle, need us to step in and reveal the sacred in their mess? However, if we aren’t willing to put the work in to seek the sacred, then we might miss the opportunity to reveal Him to the wounded.

May you take the opportunity to seek the sacred in the mess. May you help others discover the sacred in their struggle. May you know the sacred in your pain.

Peace and blessings friends.

QUESTION: Who is someone you can assist in seeking the sacred?