A Song in the Dark

A man visited a friend’s house and heard the music of a bird singing. It was not the ordinary sound of chirping; instead it resembled the strains of a lovely melody. When the visitor glanced around the room, he saw a beautiful bullfinch in a birdcage. The lady of the house explained that it had been taught to sing that way at night. The teacher would repeat the notes time and again until the bird was able to mimic them. But this was possible only because it was dark and the bird’s attention would not be diverted.

Maybe we’re like that bird — out of our darkness will come a great song. Frequently we wonder “why do I have to suffer?” Why must darkness accompany me? The meaning of life becomes clearer when we realize that we find purpose when our search leads us from why to whom. Suffering, especially chronic physical sickness, deep emotional pain, and death itself, causes a personal crisis that forces us to go deep into ourselves. We ask those questions that are most fundamental to our human existence.

Our personal cross, which cannot be transferred to anyone else, is an essential aspect of our walk with the Lord Jesus. We just need to be sure that we don’t waste our suffering. Ultimately how can we allow suffering to be our teacher? What is it we need to change about ourselves to walk through the pain? What is it we need to surrender in this process? How can we take our hardship and ease the burden of someone else? How can we be present in a much deeper way because of our journey?

Jesus also tells us that “Whoever does not carry his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple.” What a blunt statement! Inherent in loving Christ is suffering for Christ. You can’t get around this. Be assured, though, we are not orphaned to handle this inevitability. His Grace will sustain us even when we doubt ourselves the most, even when fatigue overcrowds us, even when fear, loneliness, or bitterness tries to overpower us. Place your day in His care, move forward with confidence and practice your song. Kathleen M. Sullivan, ’82MA ’87 PhD