Where is Jesus when we need him most? An influential pastor shares how despair can lead us to discover true hope and a deeper relationship with God, helping us emerge stronger and more joyful from times of crisis. When a small group of women went to mourn the death of Jesus, they were met with shocking words: 'He is not here.' For a moment, at the most painful juncture of their lives, even his body was gone from an echoing tomb. But thankfully their story does not stop there. Those words began in despair but ended in the joy of new life. In this debut book from pastor and blogger Kurt Willems, that striking image is unpacked with a power that can change our lives. Why? Because though the tomb was empty and echoing, that was because the reality of resurrection was so much bigger than anyone could have expected, creating space for the beginning of a truly new life. A Barna poll taken at the turn of the millennium revealed that the number one question people would ask God was why he allows suffering. Life takes us all to painful places. Often Jesus seems distant when we need him to be near. But the story isn't over. Jesus experiences our despair and invites us to see the beautiful potential of our lives as we discover that resurrection is real and that sometimes our emptiness allows hope to echo all the louder. With theological insight, personal honesty, and an eye for the radical humanity of Jesus, Kurt Willems helps us see how the redeeming suffering of Christ can change our experience of pain today.
