Good morning…
This Ash Wednesday, we carry over some meaningful morsels of truth expressed beautifully in yesterday’s post. “For Jesus, knowing God fully as he was fully known by God, Oneness with God was more than enough. For grace is clearly at work when a person accepts undeserved pain and suffering and does so because he (or she) is mindful of God (1 Peter 2:19, VOICE).
As faithful God-followers across the globe, we certainly live in a time of divisive division, undeserved pain, and severe human suffering. The world’s ways are not God’s ways. They never were. They never will be. For now [in this time of imperfection] we see in a mirror dimly [a blurred reflection, a riddle, an enigma], the full extend of our own personal part in God’s promise to redeem all of creation remains a mysterious maybe, a puzzling paradox, a questioning quandary, but then [when the time of perfection comes we will see reality] face to face. Now I know in part [just in fragments], but then I will know fully, just as I have been fully known [by God] (1 Corinthians 13:12, AMP).
If the life of Jesus Christ is the box top to our own jigsaw puzzle, Lent is a reflective season to fit together more of our jagged pieces, continuing to form the picture of God’s will for our unique lives. These are the four truths of our shared human experience. Into these four-sided boundaries all of life’s jumbled pieces begin to connect.
- Accept undeserved pain and suffering.
- Remain mindful of our Oneness with God.
- Be patient with the pace of grace, trusting that God is doing mysteriously healing work.
- Wait expectantly as we now see in fragmented parts; eventually we will know fully, just as we have been fully known by God.
Let’s simplify the four truthful sides holding us in harmony this Lenten season. From now until the emergence of resurrection power again on Easter morning, may we fit together the pieces of our daily life to get a fresh glimpse of God’s gorgeous design.
- Accept.
- Remain.
- Be patient.
- Wait expectantly.
And God’s peace [shall be yours, that tranquil state of a soul assured of its salvation through Christ, and so fearing nothing from God and being content with its earthly lot of whatever sort that is, that peace] which transcends all understanding shall garrison and mount guard over your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:7, AMPC).
…Sue…
