Good fiction writers draw us into their stories by creating tension. They set up a conflict, some situation that needs to be resolved. Then they take us through the details, building suspense, until finally they close the loop and reveal to us how it all works out. In the final pages or the closing scenes, we put together the pieces complete the storyline. Childhood fairy tales have that tag, “And they all lived happily ever after.”
Our lives are a story! We make plans, only to find that circumstances change, and our strategies must be adjusted to the new reality. Millions of Americans who had plans for retirement found their playbook re-written by the near collapse of the national economy last year. In weeks many found their net worth cut in half! The man leading our men’s meeting last night talked about the ways in which the plans for his life and marriage were rewritten by the birth of a profoundly disabled daughter. Her needs changed all the plans! He pointed out ways in which God’s purposes are accomplished through his daughter’s disability, but one question remains for him, “Lord, wasn’t there another way for Your will to be done?” I’ve asked the same question hundreds of times about developments in my life and the lives of people in my pastoral care. Situations involving suffering and loss like these plead for resolution. We ask, “Why is this happening? When do the various threads get pulled together so that it all gets neatly wrapped up with no loose ends?” The real answer – “Perhaps not until Heaven!” This is why faith is so critically important, disciple.
In 2 Corinthians, we read about the struggles of life. "While we live in these earthly bodies, we groan and sigh!” (2 Corinthians 5:4, NLT) Isn’t that the truth? In that same passage, we are reminded that eternal life awaits, new bodies given to us after the Resurrection that are not subject to any of the limitations or frustrations of this present world! "For we know that when this earthly tent we live in is taken down (that is, when we die and leave this earthly body), we will have a house in heaven, an eternal body made for us by God himself and not by human hands. … God himself has prepared us for this, and as a guarantee he has given us his Holy Spirit." (2 Corinthians 5:1,5, NLT) Then comes this line - "We live by faith, not by sight." (2 Corinthians 5:7, NIV)
There are things in this life that will never be tied up with a pretty bow of neat explanations! It is faith in the unseen, as yet unrealized promises of God, that carries us and keeps us. It is not a fairytale that we will ‘live happily ever after!’ In the book of the Revelation, we are assured that there is a Rest for the faithful!
"Never again will they hunger; never again will they thirst. The sun will not beat upon them, nor any scorching heat. For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd; he will lead them to springs of living water. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.” (Revelation 7:16-17, NIV) The soothing hand of our Father will caress our face, and when we share His eternal wisdom, our broken hearts will find peace, every question then finally answered! Lord, give eyes of faith that see beyond today.
Disciple, take the word of the ancient prophet with you today. He spoke them to the people of God who were going into a 70 year long captivity in a foreign land. Many said that Judah would never rise again. But, God assured them of different facts, based in His reality, not theirs.
"For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back from captivity. I will gather you from all the nations and places where I have banished you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back to the place from which I carried you into exile.” (Jeremiah 29:11-14, NIV)
Stay faithful. He has a plan and He will bring us from this exile to our Eternal Home!
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Sing the wondrous love of Jesus,
Sing His mercy and His grace;
In the mansions bright and blessed,
He'll prepare for us a place.
While we walk the pilgrim pathway,
Clouds will overspread the sky;
But when traveling days are over,
Not a shadow, not a sigh.
Let us then be true and faithful,
Trusting, serving every day;
Just one glimpse of Him in glory
Will the toils of life repay.
Onward to the prize before us!
Soon His beauty we'll behold;
Soon the pearly gates will open,
We shall tread the streets of gold.
When we all get to heaven,
What a day of rejoicing that will be!
When we all see Jesus,
We'll sing and shout the victory.
When We All Get To Heaven
Hewitt, Eliza E. / Wilson, Emily D.
© Public Domain
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