This week on Geek Devotions, host Celeste takes a look at Lara Croft’s journey through grief and loss in Netflix’s Tomb Raider series. Drawing from Ecclesiastes, Celeste talks about embracing both the hard and joyful moments in life, reminding us that God is always with us—even in our most difficult seasons. Don’t miss this encouraging message about hope and healing!

Blog Version

Hey, devoted geeks! This week, we’re diving into something a little heavier as we discuss grief and loss. In the new Tomb Raider series on Netflix, we see Lara Croft, our favorite adventurer, on another wild adventure. But there’s more going on beneath her heroic escapes—she’s dealing with grief, pushing people away because she’s afraid of losing them. Sound familiar? Sometimes, we all run from the things we don’t know how to handle, and grief can feel like a mountain we just can’t climb. Let’s explore this together.

When Grief Holds Us Back

Let’s be honest—grief hurts. When we lose someone we love, it’s tough to let go of the pain, almost like we fear that if we stop hurting, we’re also letting go of that person. In Tomb Raider, Lara can’t let go of her hurt, which keeps her from moving forward. She’s afraid to let her friend Jonah get too close, worried she’ll lose him, too. It’s a feeling so many of us can relate to—being scared to get close because we don’t want to risk the pain of loss again.

But God’s Word has something to say about all this. In the book of Ecclesiastes, we read, “There’s a time for everything, a season for every activity under heaven: a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot…” (Ecclesiastes 3:1-2). Solomon, the writer, wasn’t exactly having a cheerful day when he wrote this. He was looking back on his life and realizing some things he chased after weren’t worth it. But even in his sadness, he knew there was a time for every season, including grief. While some seasons are heavy, others bring joy, healing, and peace.

Letting God and Others Be There for Us

The Bible doesn’t pretend grief isn’t real. It acknowledges it and encourages us to let God be with us through it. God is steady, always ready to comfort us, just like Jonah was there for Lara, even when she couldn’t admit her pain. Sometimes, we may not want to see that God is there, but He is. He’s there, waiting to help us if we’ll let Him in.

And it’s not just about letting God in; sometimes, it’s about letting other people in too. Some of the best comfort can come from just having someone sit with us, no words, no solutions—just presence. There’s a deep peace in being with someone who understands letting us cry and be. And as believers, we’re called to be there for others, to sit with them when they need it, to be that source of peace for them.

If you’re going through a season of grief right now, remember this: you’re not alone. God is with you, arms wide open, and there are people who genuinely care about you. Let them in. Grieve, but don’t stay there forever. God’s got seasons of peace and joy ahead, even when they feel far off.

Stay devoted, friends. You are loved, and God is with you in every season. Peace and love to each one of you.