Day 30: Betsie ten Boom - “Deeper Still”
“For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
“…who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy…”
Introduction
Although her sister, Corrie, is more widely known, Betsie was the beacon of light in Corrie’s life, helping her see Christ even in the most hopeless and grim situations. Corrie often spoke of Betsie as the example of Christ, who deeply shaped and inspired her to share God’s message of love and forgiveness around the world.
Betsie’s encouragement didn’t sprout from an easy life, however, far from it; she suffered greatly. Yet, it was through her hardships that she grew in God’s love and, in turn, strengthened those around her.
Deeper Still
As she was on the brink of death at Ravensbrück concentration camp, Betsie reassured Corrie, “There is no pit so deep that God’s love is not deeper still.” She wanted to remind her sister that even in the humiliation and despair of the camp, God’s love had not abandoned them. No suffering can separate His children from His loving arms.
For Corrie, this wasn’t just a wise saying from her older sister. It came from someone who fully trusted in Christ’s love and refused to hate, even the guards who were slowly killing her. This transformed Corrie’s view on suffering and led her to be grateful in every circumstance and redirect hatred to forgiveness.
Her words left a lasting mark on her younger sister, and she carried them for the rest of her life. Betsie didn’t simply state the truth; she connected it to their calling of telling others about God’s love, a love that gives hope and empowers radical forgiveness. Though she longed to partake in this mission with her sister, she sadly passed away in the camp. Corrie would end up fulfilling that vision, sharing their story and the gospel with the world.
Though she was the one in desperate need, Betsie fixed her eyes on Jesus amid unbearable trials and encouraged others to do likewise. Though her life was fading, the light of Christ within her did not. Through her example, that light helped others fix their eyes on Christ and His love.
Reflection
Do we also trust that God’s love runs deeper than any suffering or pain? When we face hardships, instead of letting them blind us to God, let’s fix our eyes on His love. As we do, no matter how deep our suffering may be, God’s love will shine within us for others to see, so that they, too, may turn to His love. May we be a church that remembers the everlasting love of God and takes trials as opportunities to grow in Him and encourage others with our faith.