But Mary stayed outside the tomb weeping. And as she wept, she bent over into the tomb and saw two angels in white sitting there, one at the head and one at the feet where the body of Jesus had been. And they said to her “Woman, why are you weeping?” She said to them, “They have taken my Lord, and I don’t know where they laid him.” When she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus there, but did not know it was Jesus. Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you looking for?” John 20:11-15
Have you ever woke up and felt empty and lost? You weren’t certain what was missing but you knew something was. You went about your business, never stopping to pray. You glanced down and saw your Bible on the night stand and paid it no mind. You went to church but really weren’t present. Your mind was somewhere else.
When I read this passage in John, when Mary Magdalene finds the tomb empty and begins to weep. I reflect on my own heart, on the times that my heart felt empty like the tomb, when I have felt I had everything under control. I didn’t need to pray, didn’t need to read the Bible. I knew what I needed and what was best. I went about my day with no thought of Jesus.
Today, like Mary Magdalene when she couldn’t find Jesus in the tomb, I weep for that person in me that had no relationship with Jesus, that was empty and lonely deep within. I was blinded and couldn’t feel Jesus’ presence until one day, He called my name and opened my mind and my heart. I couldn’t imagine my life today without Him, without prayer, without my church, and the Word of God.
Sometimes it takes our struggles in life to drop us to our knees and reach to the Heavens for help. Lucky for us, Jesus is right there waiting for us to call to Him, just as He was right there when Mary Magdalene thought His body had been taken away. The truth of His resurrection, had not sunk in yet until He called her name. It was then that her eyes were opened and she recognized Him. Sometimes that truth hasn’t sunk into our minds either and we struggle with it, recognizing His presence is with us always. All we have to do is open our eyes, mind and heart and He reveals Himself to us – lightening our burdens and filling us with love.
Have you wept lately wondering where Jesus is? Have you felt like He was not present when you needed Him? Have you felt that he was gone, as if your heart felt like the empty tomb that was discovered Easter morning? He is calling your name. Will you recognize Him?
Women Who Walk By Faith 
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