Hope

“And as He spoke, He no longer looked to them like a lion; but the things that began to happen after that were so great and beautiful that I cannot write them. And for us this the end of all the stories, and we can most truly say that they all lived happily ever after. But for them it was only the beginning of the real story. All their life in this world and all their adventures in Narnia had only been the cover and the title page: now at last they were beginning Chapter One of the Great Story which no one on earth has read: which goes on for ever: in which every chapter is better than the one before.” 

― C.S. Lewis, The Last Battle

That is one of the most amazing paragraphs in the world. C.S. Lewis is an amazing man who is so full of wisdom. This quote was read last night at a memorial service I attended. Despite the sadness and pain that comes after losing someone that is so loved, we (as Christians) have a hope that far surpasses our grief. 

It is amazing to think about all the adventures that the children in the Chronicles of Narnia experienced. And even those were only the "cover and the title page". Wow! God has our stories written and the life we live on earth is barely the beginning. Not only is it just the beginning, but everything ahead is even better!

When I think about how exciting that it, it makes losing a loved one or a friend so much easier. No, death is never something that I would want to happen, but the people (who have a relationship with Christ) God takes from this earth get to begin the Great Story. How exciting! It makes me excited for what is to come after this life. 

Finding hope in death is not easy. But this quote is such an encouragement that those who have gone before us are in a far better place and are much happier than they ever could have been on earth. Praise the Lord! 

Trust

"It is a glorious thing to know that your Father God makes no mistakes in directing or permitting that which crosses the path of your life. It is the glory of God to conceal a matter. It is our glory to trust Him, no matter what"  -Joni Eareckson Tada


Trusting God is definitely easier said than done. It is something I struggle with. All the time! But when I think about who God is and who we as humans are in comparison, trusting God is by far the wisest thing to do. He knows, He has planned, He is in control of my life. Thinking about this really humbles me and makes me realize that I am tiny, helpless and by no means equipped to plan my own life. Thankfully God is the opposite.

While I can only see a very small part of the picture, God has the whole picture laid out in front of Him.   Knowing all of this doesn't make trusting God a walk in the park but it sure makes me realize that I am an idiot for not trusting Him!

I don't know what will happen in my life but God does. Thats pretty great!

Revive. Restore. Resuscitate.

After 14 months of nothing, I am finally posting! My hope is that I will be more consistent with blogging and not repeat these year-long absences!

For my first post, I will post something I wrote a few weeks ago. It is something that God has continually been nudging me about this summer. I know this is not the first and it is definitely not the last of my posts about God's love. So here it is.


Sometimes you just need a reminder. This is one of those times. Nothing I am saying is new but God has placed it on my heart as something I have been forgetting.

Brennan Manning’s book, The Furious Longing of God, has really made me think about how much God loves me. I am not done with the book but even in the few pages I have read I am realizing that my view of God’s love is lacking. Seriously lacking. The whole idea that God chooses to love me blows my mind. All of my life God has been reaching out to me. Providing all I need to see Him. And even though I did eventually turn around and receive that embrace, I really don’t take the time to think about how crazy that is. I have done nothing. Nothing right, nothing worthy. But everything wrong. Yet like a perfect father, He waits and waits and waits for me to run to Him.

Manning’s emphasis on Abba is not new to me, but it is making a new impact on me. I get the chills when I think about God as a Daddy figure instead of the God I often picture as being far off and distant. It is not easy to mesh the two extremes that God is. He is so close and so intimate, yet He is also so transcendent, omnipotent, and omniscient. But really, how cool is that? God is so much more than my human mind will ever be able to comprehend on this side of Eternity.

I want to live a life that is Abba centered. I want that intimate relationship with God that allows me to come to Him in prayer as a child. I forget that I do not need big words or certain words. I want to read my Bible as a letter from my Father. I want to be in complete awe of God, but in a more personal way than ever before. I want to cherish the time I spend with Him and make a point to spend more time with Him!
I long for the day when my mind is made perfect and I can comprehend the mysteries of my Saviour. Obviously heaven is going to be the most amazing place but it is so cool to know that all will be right. Whether I still have questions to ask God or not, I will be at peace and there will be no uncertainty or fear.

My God loves me. My Heavenly Father loves me. My Abba loves me. Crazy!