Longing.
Every minute, every hour everyone experiences some sort of longing. Whether it be towards an object, a person, or a state of being, longing remains as an inescapable part of our existence on earth.
One of my favorite quotes by CS Lewis is his quote on our existence as sojourners or exiles here:
"If I find in myself a desire which no experience in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that I was made for another world."
The existence of a Christ follower on earth ought to be filled with longing- longing to know and follow the Lord our God more profoundly and deeply each day, and although His love and peace and affirmation will fill us more than anything else on this earth can, the fact of the matter is that we can and should not ever be truly satisfied here. As my dear Clive stated, we aren't meant for this world. Our hearts cannot and will not be at home here.
This is where I struggle. My longings are so fickle and easily distracted. Thinking about things I've inwardly moaned about in the last week, well, the constant certainly wasn't 'let me be more useful to you, God' or 'give me discernment.' It was more like, 'when will I SLEEP' and 'oh, how I wish this semester was over.' I guess my lesson here is that there is more to life than our mundane longings. Push past it and focus on those that will not only bring God glory, but give us the peace and joy found in His kingdom.
grace and peace
Also, I couldn't leave out this passage by Lewis:
To love at all is to be vulnerable. Love anything, and your heart will certainly be wrung and possibly be broken. If you want to make sure of keeping it intact, you must give your heart to no one, not even to an animal. Wrap it carefully round with hobbies and little luxuries; avoid all entanglements; lock it up safe in the casket or coffin of your selfishness. But in that casket — safe, dark, motionless, airless — it will change. It will not be broken; it will become unbreakable, impenetrable, irredeemable. The alternative to tragedy, or at least to the risk of tragedy, is damnation. The only place outside of Heaven where you can be perfectly safe from all the dangers and perturbations of love is Hell.
Monday, 18 April 2011
Wednesday, 13 April 2011
Death and all his friends
Although the suns been out in all of its glory, this week has been a gloomy one. One of the mothers of a girl a Stratford passed away over the weekend, and although she's fought cancer for years, her death still shook up so many people. Along with that, the memorial of TianLiang brought a new kind of sadness. Both brought sadness, but here's the deal: the girl's mother knew Jesus. She was known for her love for Him and how that affected her life-but TianLiang didn't, or at least we won't know for quite a while. This is the part that sickens me. I had conversations with him. I had opportunities. There may have been times I could have talked to him, but did I ever? No.
I've watched Francis Chan's sermon on Holy Anguish
so many times, and it has convicted me. How did I let those convictions get away from me? Why do I always have to learn these lessons after the matter? I guess to backtrack and explain, in the sermon, Chan is telling the importance of sharing our faith and truly mourning lost souls.
Here's the deal. Finding out TianLiang died, figuring out that I knew him, realizing that I don't know his standing with God- I felt anguish. There is nothing I can do to change his eternity now. Nothing. I am sitting pretty with an eternity of joy before me and for all I know, he has just entered eternal death-and I, and all of us who know grace have been commanded to share that, to make it known! The Great Commission says:
Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. And when they saw him they worshiped him, but some doubted. And Jesus came and said to them, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age."
All authority in heaven and in earth- with that, Jesus commands us to go out and make disciples. He is telling us with such authority that this is what we ought to do and here I sit hanging out with friends, discussing paltry gossip, focusing on things that will end, just as will life. With no warning, life can end and with that our chances.
So while I rejoice in the life the mother lived, I mourn for the soul of a joyful student who probably never knew. I pray that I won't lose focus again.
I guess this is the thought I'm attempting to form. Be intentional. Don't live life as a joke, don't live it simply for yourself. As you care for others, they will care for you. See? You may even gain some friends. But more importantly, these are souls. The decisions we make now effect eternity. While we may enjoy our fleeting moments here, that enjoyment may result in suffering for another, and I don't know about you, but that isn't something I can handle. The deaths of loved ones have been hard enough knowing I won't see them for quite some time, but to leave someone's body in a grave knowing you won't ever see their soul again... I'll let you run with that.
Anyway, these are my convictions. Sorry it's depressing, but I guess one day we'll all face death. Let's live truly right now.
I'm going to leave you with my favorite hymn. My dad and I sang it almost every night before bed when I was little:
Some glad morning when this life is o'er,
I'll fly away;
To a home on God's celestial shore,
I'll fly away (I'll fly away).
I'll fly away, Oh Glory
I'll fly away; (in the morning)
When I die, Hallelujah, by and by,
I'll fly away (I'll fly away).
When the shadows of this life have gone,
I'll fly away;
Like a bird from prison bars has flown,
I'll fly away (I'll fly away)
Just a few more weary days and then,
I'll fly away;
To a land where joy shall never end,
I'll fly away (I'll fly away)
Sorry if this was disorganized... I've just been mulling all of this over, and this is about how together my mind is at 1 in the morning...
I've watched Francis Chan's sermon on Holy Anguish
so many times, and it has convicted me. How did I let those convictions get away from me? Why do I always have to learn these lessons after the matter? I guess to backtrack and explain, in the sermon, Chan is telling the importance of sharing our faith and truly mourning lost souls.
Here's the deal. Finding out TianLiang died, figuring out that I knew him, realizing that I don't know his standing with God- I felt anguish. There is nothing I can do to change his eternity now. Nothing. I am sitting pretty with an eternity of joy before me and for all I know, he has just entered eternal death-and I, and all of us who know grace have been commanded to share that, to make it known! The Great Commission says:
Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. And when they saw him they worshiped him, but some doubted. And Jesus came and said to them, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age."
All authority in heaven and in earth- with that, Jesus commands us to go out and make disciples. He is telling us with such authority that this is what we ought to do and here I sit hanging out with friends, discussing paltry gossip, focusing on things that will end, just as will life. With no warning, life can end and with that our chances.
So while I rejoice in the life the mother lived, I mourn for the soul of a joyful student who probably never knew. I pray that I won't lose focus again.
I guess this is the thought I'm attempting to form. Be intentional. Don't live life as a joke, don't live it simply for yourself. As you care for others, they will care for you. See? You may even gain some friends. But more importantly, these are souls. The decisions we make now effect eternity. While we may enjoy our fleeting moments here, that enjoyment may result in suffering for another, and I don't know about you, but that isn't something I can handle. The deaths of loved ones have been hard enough knowing I won't see them for quite some time, but to leave someone's body in a grave knowing you won't ever see their soul again... I'll let you run with that.
Anyway, these are my convictions. Sorry it's depressing, but I guess one day we'll all face death. Let's live truly right now.
I'm going to leave you with my favorite hymn. My dad and I sang it almost every night before bed when I was little:
Some glad morning when this life is o'er,
I'll fly away;
To a home on God's celestial shore,
I'll fly away (I'll fly away).
I'll fly away, Oh Glory
I'll fly away; (in the morning)
When I die, Hallelujah, by and by,
I'll fly away (I'll fly away).
When the shadows of this life have gone,
I'll fly away;
Like a bird from prison bars has flown,
I'll fly away (I'll fly away)
Just a few more weary days and then,
I'll fly away;
To a land where joy shall never end,
I'll fly away (I'll fly away)
Sorry if this was disorganized... I've just been mulling all of this over, and this is about how together my mind is at 1 in the morning...
Saturday, 2 April 2011
पूर्णता
Psalm 19
The heavens declare the glory of God,
and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.
Day to day pours out speech,
and night to night reveals knowledge.
There is no speech, nor are there words,
whose voice is not heard.
Their voice goes out through all the earth,
and their words to the end of the world.
In them he has set a tent for the sun,
which comes out like a bridegroom leaving his chamber,
and, like a strong man, runs its course with joy.
Its rising is from the end of the heavens,
and its circuit to the end of them,
and there is nothing hidden from its heat.
The law of the Lord is perfect,
reviving the soul;
the testimony of the Lord is sure,
making wise the simple;
the precepts of the Lord are right,
rejoicing the heart;
the commandment of the Lord is pure,
enlightening the eyes;
the fear of the Lord is clean,
enduring forever;
the rules of the Lord are true,
and righteous altogether.
More to be desired are they than gold,
even much fine gold;
sweeter also than honey
and drippings of the honeycomb.
Moreover, by them is your servant warned;
in keeping them there is great reward.
Who can discern his errors?
Declare me innocent from hidden faults.
Keep back your servant also from presumptuous sins;
let them not have dominion over me!
Then I shall be blameless,
and innocent of great transgression.
Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart
be acceptable in your sight,
O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.
Wow. Anyone else still floored? I know I've read this before, but today, it just hit me. I honestly feel like that's covered anything I could have written. You know in Zephaniah 3:17 where it says, "[God] will quiet you with his love"? Yeah. I feel like this is how that feels. Perfect description, actually. He has created the splendor that is the heavens, earth, moon, sun, and stars. His law is the epitome of love for us- absolutely everything we need, our portion. God has already given us all of this- who are we to desire anything else?
John Piper mentioned this passage in a book I was reading, recalling a time a pastor of his had spoken about it saying,
"[God] pled with us to stop seeking mental health in the mirror of self-analysis, but instead to drink in the remedies of [Himself] in nature... His plea was that we stop being unamazed by the glory of ordinary things." It's so true! How often I get caught up in endlessly analyzing myself and others, seeking constantly to be the better version of myself when as I look to God and seek His face, His love is reflected in my life. His glory is everywhere, and I get so focused on myself that I miss the simple beauties of a sunrise and the steady rebirth of nature in spring that God has His hand on- this is His creation! So, regarding this, my goal for this week is to spend more time with Him in His creation.
Sorry this is so short, but I'm falling asleep as I type. I encourage you guys to do the same, though! Look around and see God's glory in His creation :)
grace and peace
<-- The Andes Mountains :) God definitely took my breath away with those. Miss them a lot.
The heavens declare the glory of God,
and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.
Day to day pours out speech,
and night to night reveals knowledge.
There is no speech, nor are there words,
whose voice is not heard.
Their voice goes out through all the earth,
and their words to the end of the world.
In them he has set a tent for the sun,
which comes out like a bridegroom leaving his chamber,
and, like a strong man, runs its course with joy.
Its rising is from the end of the heavens,
and its circuit to the end of them,
and there is nothing hidden from its heat.
The law of the Lord is perfect,
reviving the soul;
the testimony of the Lord is sure,
making wise the simple;
the precepts of the Lord are right,
rejoicing the heart;
the commandment of the Lord is pure,
enlightening the eyes;
the fear of the Lord is clean,
enduring forever;
the rules of the Lord are true,
and righteous altogether.
More to be desired are they than gold,
even much fine gold;
sweeter also than honey
and drippings of the honeycomb.
Moreover, by them is your servant warned;
in keeping them there is great reward.
Who can discern his errors?
Declare me innocent from hidden faults.
Keep back your servant also from presumptuous sins;
let them not have dominion over me!
Then I shall be blameless,
and innocent of great transgression.
Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart
be acceptable in your sight,
O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.
Wow. Anyone else still floored? I know I've read this before, but today, it just hit me. I honestly feel like that's covered anything I could have written. You know in Zephaniah 3:17 where it says, "[God] will quiet you with his love"? Yeah. I feel like this is how that feels. Perfect description, actually. He has created the splendor that is the heavens, earth, moon, sun, and stars. His law is the epitome of love for us- absolutely everything we need, our portion. God has already given us all of this- who are we to desire anything else?
John Piper mentioned this passage in a book I was reading, recalling a time a pastor of his had spoken about it saying,
"[God] pled with us to stop seeking mental health in the mirror of self-analysis, but instead to drink in the remedies of [Himself] in nature... His plea was that we stop being unamazed by the glory of ordinary things." It's so true! How often I get caught up in endlessly analyzing myself and others, seeking constantly to be the better version of myself when as I look to God and seek His face, His love is reflected in my life. His glory is everywhere, and I get so focused on myself that I miss the simple beauties of a sunrise and the steady rebirth of nature in spring that God has His hand on- this is His creation! So, regarding this, my goal for this week is to spend more time with Him in His creation.
Sorry this is so short, but I'm falling asleep as I type. I encourage you guys to do the same, though! Look around and see God's glory in His creation :)
grace and peace
<-- The Andes Mountains :) God definitely took my breath away with those. Miss them a lot.
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