Tragedy Is Not The End

[NOTE: I first posted/published this way back in 2009 when I was blogging anonymously on a self-created page entitled “Just a Thought Devotionals.” The original blog appeared this morning on my Facebook “Memories” feed. Because it was always one of my personal favorites, I wanted to bring it over here to this site. Hope it will be a source of encouragement.]

Genesis 11:27-31, “Terah became the father of Abram, Nahor, and Haran; and Haran became the father of Lot. Haran died in the presence of his father Terah in the land of his birth, in Ur of the Chaldeans. Abram and Nahor took wives for themselves. The name of Abram’s wife was Sarai; and the name of Nahor’s wife was Milcah, the daughter of Haran, the father of Milcah and Iscah. Sarai was barren; she had no child. Terah took Abram his son, and Lot the son of Haran, his grandson, and Sarai his daughter-in-law, his son Abram’s wife; and they went out together from Ur of the Chaldeans…” (bold emphases mine)

We have all heard the expression “first impressions are lasting impressions.”

If that is true, then our initial encounter with Abram lends little credence to the role he would eventually play as the father of faith. Our first impression? Abram is a man surrounded by great personal tragedy. A dead brother (his life ended prematurely). A physically debilitated father (his life would end before they reached their destination). An undisciplined nephew (his life would end in disaster). A wife with a dried-up womb (her life had ended with the death of her dreams). And to further complicate matters, Abram now finds himself distanced from the place he once called home, the people he loved. He finds himself moving forward with no real knowledge of where he is going. The voice of a God he never knew leads him to a place he has never seen. The familiar is growing ever distant in the rearview mirror of his life. And the future is lacking any real promise of improving any time soon. Doesn’t quite sound like the stuff that heroes are made of, does it?

Or does it? Can there be any story more heroic than one where the main character is able to rise from the ashes of tremendous personal tragedy? As badly as Abram’s story begins, we have to remember that it is only the beginning. Tragedy was not the end; it was not the final chapter in the story of his life. It would not have the final word. Although tragedy set the stage, it would be long gone, long forgotten by the time the final curtain call came for Abram. When the credits begin to roll across the screen of Abram’s life, we look around to find the entire theater standing and cheering. He found himself in an incredibly difficult season of life, but it was not his last season. The winter of tragedy would, in time, give way to the summer of faith. With the help of his God, Abram would prevail over his tragedy and stand triumphant.

I just want to remind each of us (particularly myself) that our story is still being written. God, the author of faith, the One who began this work is also the finisher. His bookshelf has no half-written stories. He always completes that which He has begun. You might find yourself right now in the midst of great personal tragedy. Going forward seems impossible at the moment. You have lost too much. Your pain is too great. The voice of a God you are having trouble seeing has led you to a place you never knew existed. All you want to do is quit.

DON’T.

Remember Abram. His life began in tragedy. His life ended in triumph. Ask God for the strength to just keep going forward one step, one day at a time if necessary. If that fails, ask Him to carry you. Just don’t close the book on your life yet. This present chapter is not the final one. Jesus always saves the best for last. Tragedy is not the end.

Romans 8:18, “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us.”