Thursday, December 5, 2013

Made For Another World

Hey Friend,

There are many things that I do not comprehend...an innocent child being diagnosed with cancer, people close to me having their marriages torn apart by selfishness and infidelity, a town of hard-working people whose homes are destroyed by tornadoes, a classmate losing her battle with depression...these do not make sense to me

If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own.  As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world.  That is why the world hates you.  (John 15:19)

So, if I am In Christ, the world will hate me.  Jesus spoke these words to his disciples, so if I am His disciple, this pertains to me too.  Maybe that explains why I have this homesick feeling?!  Don't get me wrong, there are many things in my life that I love:  my fiancĂ©'s loving arms around me, my children's smiles and laughter, a jaw-dropping sunset, the roar of the ocean, the breathtaking majesty of God's complex creation.  But, there is always an itch that I cannot scratch, a longing that nothing earthly will fulfill.  

"If we find ourselves with a desire that nothing in this world can satisfy, the most probably explanation is...that we were made for another world." (C.S. Lewis)

I kind of have to laugh at the bumper stickers and line of clothing that says "Life is Good".  One day, I am going to make one that says, "Life is Hard But God is Good". Do you think that would sell?

God lovingly gives us glimpses of Heaven.  Postcards from Heaven, I call them.

The book of Ephesians talks a lot about our life in the "heavenly realms".  Christians have already been made beneficiaries of every spiritual blessing that belongs to and comes from the heavenly realm. Grace, redemption, peace, forgiveness, love, to name a few.  God has already bestowed upon us a piece of Heaven.

Sometimes I get so caught up in the trials and tribulations of this world that I lose my eternal perspective.

Erma Bombeck was famous for saying, "If life is a bowl of cherries, what am I doing here in the pits."  Somewhere along the way we get the notion that life should be a bowl of cherries.  Then when life throws something at us, a real curve ball, we are surprised and taken back.  The Bible tells us, up front, that we will experience trouble.

In this world you will have tribulation, but take heart I have overcome the world. (John 16:33)

God is a spoiler...He gives us the end of the story.  Read it again, but take heart I have overcome the world!  What a praise!  We know, without a doubt, who wins in the end.

It's been a long time since I have been behind the lens of a camera, but one of my favorite shots was to make the forefront of the picture somewhat blurry and focus in sharply on my object of interest in the background.  I was focused in on what was ahead instead of what was immediately under my nose.

In a similar way, God wants our eyes focused on the future joy that He has in store for us.  In that day we will know for the first time, unpolluted joy! 

So what can we take from our earthly trials and tribulations?  How do we endure?  We hold on tightly to God's righteous right hand and we profess:

For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.  (2 Corinthians 4:17)

What this says to me is not that God is making light of our very difficult struggles, but that in comparison to the glory that awaits us, they will then appear light and momentary.

Our tiny minds cannot even begin to grasp what our Loving Father has in store for us.  I know Him just well enough to be certain that He will blow our socks off!  He loves you so much and is with you in your troubles.  He promises to never leave nor forsake you during your brief earthly journey and He will lovingly lead you into the place that He has prepared for you and scoop you up in His strong arms. He dearly loves you. That you can rely on. 

I'll end this post with the lyrics of a song by the contemporary Christian group, Building 429:

"All I know is I'm not home yet
This is not where I belong
Take this world and give me Jesus
This is not where I belong."
 
God IS good!  He has just made me, made you, for another world...
 
In His love,
 
Bev
 
ps.  Don't forget that any comments and/or subscriptions to my blog will enter you into a prize drawing at the end of this month.  Great prizes...don't miss out.







8 comments:

  1. GREAT words to read, Bev! Thank you for the reminder. I really "feel" ya.....i get that homesick feeling as well. PS - I would BUY that bumpersticker, just sayin'!!
    Love ya,
    Lisa

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    1. Lisa,
      Thanks for your support of my bumper sticker :). I'm so glad we have our friendship to help us through whenever the homesick feelings get to be too much! Love you girl, Bev

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  2. Beautifully written! For the past 2 weeks I have been studying how God is omnipotent, omnipresent and omniscient. Because I know God is ALL powerful, ALL present and ALL knowing I have comfort about those questions you ask. It's part of my attempt to simplify my life, whether it be full of questions or actions. I so much enjoy the scriptures you referenced. So true, this world is not our home and when I hear the song you memtioned, it too gives me comfort. Keep up the good work my friend, we are on a journey and will one day be home.

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    1. LaRhonda,
      Yes, we are on a journey and one day we will be home...that helps me to keep putting one foot in front of the other some days. Knowing the God you described DOES give us comfort when we are faced with tough questions. Thanks for sharing your insights!!
      Blessings to you friend,
      Bev

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  3. He is SO good! I smiled over your comment regarding the saying "Life is Good." I want the bumper sticker you recommend! And I love thinking about how he will "blow our socks off." This was SO good, Bev. I love these Thursday's with you. You bless ALWAYS.
    Thank you for your continued prayers. I'm doing rather well. I've got several countdowns going that are keeping me smiling... 1) my son coming home for Christmas; 2) coming to see you Mar/Apr of next year (we will figure out a date soon; and 3) and while it's a long one...counting down the days until my husband arrives.
    Much love to you and {hugs},
    Beth

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    1. Beth,
      Yay, another buyer for my bumper sticker :). I can't wait to see how God is going to blow our socks off...so thankful He's that kind of God. You bless me by visiting my little corner of cyber space. Praying for you and counting down the days until your visit!
      With love and ((hugs)),
      Bev

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  4. HI Bev
    Love your blog I tried to follow on blogger but the link didn't work. Let me know if you get it fixed. Great job!

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    1. Katie,
      So glad you are following...please know that you are always welcome here! I admit I am not very technologically savvy and blogger eludes me at times. The best way to be assured not to miss a post is to subscribe. I never sell my list, not will you get anything but my weekly post. Thanks so much for your words of encouragement!
      Blessings,
      Bev

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