God Hidden in Our Wreckage

Pastor Tullian on Luther's concept of the Theology of the Cross:

"A theology of the cross...understands the cross to be the ultimate statement of God's involvement in the world this side of heaven. A theology of the cross accepts the difficult thing rather than trying to change it or use it. It looks directly into the pain, and 'calls a thing what it is' instead of calling evil good and good evil. It identifies God as 'hidden in [the] suffering." Luther actually took things one key step further. He said that God was not only hidden in suffering, but He was at work in our anxiety and doubt. When you are at the end of your rope- when you no longer have hope within yourself - that is when you run to God for mercy. It's admittedly difficult to accept the claim that God is somehow hidden amid all of the wreckage of our lives. But those who are willing to struggle and despair may in actuality be those among us who best understand the realities of the Christian life."

- Tullian Tchvidjian, Glorious Ruin: How Suffering Sets You Free, pages 42-43