Today is Good Friday, and my daughter asked me, “Mom, why do they call it Good if it’s the day Jesus was hung on the cross and died?” I seem to remember asking that same question of my mom when I was a child. Perhaps you’ve asked it yourself. I remember my mom saying something like, “Well because it recognizes the cycle where the miracle of resurrection transpired at the end.” Okay. I kind of understood that.
However, after practicing proactive gratitude for a while, I get this idea on a whole new level. First of all, the resurrection could not have happened without the crucifixion. Secondly, as with all biblical stories, the message is only transformational when you can relate it to you own life.
So, for me that means…the challenges and difficulties in our lives have the potential to bring forth a miracle for us. In fact, the miracle is inherent in the challenge. And…here’s the key…in order to experience the miracle, we need to name the challenge “Good.”
Think about a challenge you are currently facing in your life. Is it possible…even remotely…that some good could come of it? You might not be able to see what that is now, and that’s okay. From what I understand, Jesus’ followers didn’t see the resurrection coming. But it came. You may recall other challenges in your life that you can be grateful for in hindsight because it led you to some good you have now…a blessing that you wouldn’t have if you hadn’t walked through the challenge.
This “miracle after darkness” is not the exclusive territory of Christians. All faiths have a similar story. We just celebrated Passover and the miracle of freedom and finding the land of milk and honey after years and years of enslavement. Buddha almost starved to death trying to live as an acetic before he was brought back to heath and was then able to share his wisdom. Mohammad was outnumbered and defeated before he claimed victory and was able to share his message channeled into the Quran.
The point is, whatever challenge you are facing, look at it squarely in the eyes and name it Good! Allow yourself to trust that there is a miracle unfolding in your life and that this challenge will somehow deliver it to you. You don’t need to know how. That isn’t your job. Your job is to trust and stay alert. Be on the lookout for it – a miracle can take many forms. Name it good, and then be open.
Happy Easter.
I have a challenge for which I’ve been seeking the answer for a very long time. I’ve now given up that scearch and accept that I may never know the answer…….and…..as unlikely as it seems…..will trust that my almighty God has the answer……and will hold out in faith in His Word, that this challenge will bring only ” Good ” into my life.This is just…..the way it is !
It’s funny how clearly I remember answering that question over 30 years ago. We were at McDonalds…..me and my three children. My oldest, David, asked that very question…..why wasn’t it a sad occasion…..when our Lord died on the cross…..how we could call it Good Friday ! I don’t remember what was said that turned out to be a four way discussion…..what I do remember is…..a man who on his way out…..stopped by our table and with what looked like tears in his eyes…..said that he’d never heard such a touching and profoud talk before this time……and I was really surprised and moved.It just goes to show…….it’s an important question…….with lots of real and profound answers !