Sooooo....death. Such a final state.
12 hr round trip / road trip to funeral to think about this (which I'll miss).
The thing is, whether you think it's a "dream state", imaginary, or misguided...makes no difference to me..through my faith (and my friend's husband's faith, who recently passed away) I believe I'm going to heaven. A somewhat famous atheist once said, if your faith believes in a hell for eternity after death, "how bad do you have to #hate someone to not share your faith with them?" I believe there's a multitude of ways to share my faith. Action, word, deed...just loving on people...not because of works or obligation, but because I've experienced that kind of true love from Jesus Christ.
Pause: I wish I had more creative ways to explain that kind of love to you than overused Christian cliches or adjectives...well, actually, I do, but watch for that on a different blog. I like (what our publishing culture calls) Christian fiction from time to time because the imagery is usually far more powerful on this. #moretocome
I don't know all the answers to questions like these, especially about death, and yet I deeply love the very God who created us/ gave us life. Why do people die of natural causes at a younger age, and some don't? Why do some die without really knowing the fullness of the love of God? Why are they unable to make clear decisions to give their very heart to Him? Sin has entered this world...I get it. I believe that God has a plan to prosper us and not to harm us. NOT TO HARM US! Every good thing is a Gift from Him. I won't take the time to discuss the vast differences in your/our/my definition of "good", but suffice to say (for this blog) loss of life is not #good. It's not in His original design...but I know He will and does turn all things for the good of those who DILIGENTLY seek Him (and are called according to His purpose).
Pause: small rant--Why do we scream about injustice and the stench of the miry mucky quick sand of problems we're in, and then curse the rope that He throws us to pull us out? Why are we such stupid sheep? (Rhetorical)
I'm certain we've perverted the message of the Gospels, (most especially in The Church) and/or of the core of Christianity. I'm sorry for that...genuinely.
Some of the questions above/below are answered due to people's circumstances (of broken hearts, broken spirits, brokenness ...) and I have compassion for them. Ive been there. They have been swallowed up and believed the age old lie of hopelessness. I know that's how it was for me.
I've learned it's SUPER difficult to understand/accept unconditional love in our culture. I love my parents, however, they didn't show a lot of unconditional love and I spent far too many years likening the character of God to earthy Father/parent attributes I was shown. The faithfulness (commitment) of Jesus still blows my mind. How can you be #hopeful about anything if you do not know you are #loved?!
If we are #hopeless, the Enemy of our soul has met one of His main goals. Hopelessness: It's a very real state; a very real place for a crushed spirit, an empty heart, a devastated soul. Our culture will likely categorize hopelessness with medical terminology such as "depression", but i believe hopelessness is beyond that. Until we address the spirit, soul and (mind)/body...we as a 'new' American nation...will continue to on a destructive road. Unless the core of our faith in the One true God comes back as our priority, we will wander in the dessert - again.
History: a funny thing....does repeat itself if we don't apply the things we've learned.
Sooooo back to #death...
I cannot control it. #shocker
Personally, I can choose #life...everyday ...and talk genuinely to the One who gave me life and it
gives me #hope! I know I have a #purpose in this life, I know I'm here for a reason and not just
aimlessly wandering. Best yet, I know Somebody loves me!. #hope #purpose #identity #unconditional #love
Personally I can share this hope I have with others...this love that blows my mind and reaches deep into my heart, well passed my understanding.
That much I can do...
It's reasonable...
It's an act of servant hood ...
It's an act of love...immense love....even to my enemies. How hard is it to love those who already love you? But to love those who hate you, who gossip about you, who spitefully use you...now that's love.
After all, How bad do I have to hate you to NOT share it?!
Name of my blogger user name is 'WHYILOVEYOUALL''....
and this is why....I do.
ESJ
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