Buried, But Found

When Jesus Meets Us in the Storms of Life

Finding Beauty in Seasons of Winter

Author Note:

Last week’s winter storm got me thinking about how we often feel “buried” under something. I wanted to write about that, and I’d like to give you a peek into my process so far.

The first thing I did was list some ways we can feel “buried.”

Next, I considered the last few months, how I felt buried in grief, winter, and seasonal blues. I needed a Deliverer to break through my storm. So I listed some aspects of Jesus, our Deliverer, as I’ve known Him.

Lastly, I wrote a personal poem (in progress) to describe how I needed Jesus’ help during my storms this past month.

Idea Lists

Buried
in work
In grief
In the past
In shame
In regrets
In the unspoken
Under expectations
In schedules
In disappointments
In hope deferred
In caretaking
In the waiting
In conflict
In betrayal
In unanswered prayers
In doubts
In silence
In life

Deliverer
Calls our name
Seeks us out
Speaks peace
Breaks through
Builds hope
Carries the weight
Clears the path
Tosses impediments 
Removes shame and guilt
Scrapes away lies
Comforts souls
Lifts hearts
Offers salvation
Confers identity
Grants favor
Emboldens hearts
Restores trust
Joyfully fills
Walks alongside
Waits patiently

Oh yeah. Buried.

Buried, But Found

Found myself buried
Under a shroud;
Relentless storms
Swirling about
Layer upon layer
Packing me in
Deep cold surrounds
And I gave in

Found myself wallowing
Instead of just following.
My thin breathing
Simply soul-freezing
Buried in grief and
Disappointments
Buried in faith prayers
Returned in quiet
Buried until
I simply quit struggling

Found myself stuck
Mired down heavy
Freezing inertia
Despair at the ready

Found myself hearing
A voice call my name;
One who knew me
Untouched by terrain
He came and knelt
Broke icy crust
Scarred hands I recognized
Rebuilding trust

Found myself found;
In that giant snow mound.
He entered in 
Scooped away snow
Allowing deep breaths
And warm blood to flow
Light warmed my face
And melted a path
At His command
I grabbed for His hand--
Forward He led me
Through cold's wrath

(Found myself remembering
His rescues before;
Breaking down barriers
Saving my core--
My soul was reminded:
“He knows the way out!
My Deliverer knows burials
And rolls stones about!”)

Found myself loosened
From the grip of the storm
For He rescues and comforts
All those frozen;
Thaws icy hearts,
And wisdom imparts
Carries us onward 
When feeling forlorn
Helps us toward
the next new morn.

Found myself thankful
Cold taught me "be still,"
Darkness instructed "listen"
Wind forced me anchor 
On Deliverer's mission...

So amidst stormy swirling
I cling to His Presence,
Leading me forward
He reveals snow can glisten.

What do you think so far?

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;
and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you;
when you walk through fire you shall not be burned,
and the flame shall not consume you.

(Isaiah 43:2, ESV)

A Prayer:

Lord Jesus,

You see us buried beneath the storms, where breath feels thin and hope feels frayed.

Call us by name, send Your word to melt what has frozen, and roll away what seals us in.

Make a way where there is no way and lead us out in Your perfect time.

Though still winter-worn, we trust You—the Resurrection and the Life—to point out glimpses of glory after the storm.

Amen.

For Worship:

(We always need some worship to calm the storms)

Turn It To Praise by Seph Schlueter

**Photos by 1)Yang and 2) Hans and 3) Nick Augustat on Unsplash