Buffets in the Graveyard

 

For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved. (Romans 8:18-24 ESV).

 

The picture you see attached to today’s devotional is taken in an old church cemetery. It is known as a “tabletop tombstone.” Many people have lost track of the historic significance of these markers. Cemeteries, as always, were where the departed loved ones lay, many of them young. A stroll through any well established cemetery will reveal a high number of children and young adults who were interred there upon their death. Families took a much more active part in caring for these places. It would not have been unusual a few decades ago to see people make trips to the cemeteries where they would keep up with the flowers, cleaning the tombstones, and raking leaves that may have fallen on the grounds. For a more thorough cleaning, annual gatherings were scheduled for the families still living to gather at the gravesites. And, rather than mourners standing, hands clasped, as they whispered conversations with the dead, picnics and celebrations were held among the stones. These “tabletop tombstones” served as the picnic tables for the food to be set out as people used the time to recount the many memories of those who had died. All of such times have been festive times filled with joy rather than sorrow.

 

That’s how it ought to be. Yesterday I wrote that our life-story would end well. Knowing that, it ought to be easier for us to trust every experience in life into the hands of the One who will make it good. However, most of the time we don’t really want to have someone else taking charge of our lives. Of course, it should sound outrageous for us to rebel directly against the authority of God in our lives. More ­often we try subtler approaches, pretending to follow God’s way while in our hearts we keep our distance from him. It all boils down to a simple point: We are terrible at trusting God to be God. We’d rather manage on our own and mess things up. Perhaps it’s time in your life to make a more intentional effort to trust the good that God has already determined to be performed in your life.