I heard a woman sing tonight. It was beautiful. But more than her singing style, I was drawn to her story. She gave her testimony of sweet redemption. Of being her pregnant mother’s “almost-choice” . . . she was born, though almost not. Her mother chose life, though I believe Another really chose it for her. And, though life itself was such a gift, He also chose a purpose for her . . . to proclaim the saving news of Jesus Christ through music.
Later on, the congregation and I stood with our Pastor as he led us in an acapella song – “Jesus, Jesus, there’s just something about that name.” I looked around me at the Christians, fellow-believers standing with me, beside me. I imagined some day, far, far in the future. Oh, that we will no longer imagine, but that we will be WITH Him. Together, standing in His presence, singing the greatness of our God. I felt that joy, that hope, that eager expectation around me!
But I also felt humanity. A type of groaning in me, in us, waiting, for a deeper redeeming of so many tragedies. Knowing my own life’s tragedies, being “let in” on the ones around me, sometimes my heart weighs heavy. I see us. Some with painted faces, just like my own. Some more willing to pull down the mask, and let others in. But all of us, needing grace. Needing hope. Needing to know there is redemption. There is a place where our story is read with great delight . . . a place that we hope for, sometimes with pain inside of us too deep to put into words.
But then I knew. Yes, He is not only looking from above, merely anticipating our coming to Him, but He is here! He is painting each story on a canvas as a precious, beautiful telling of His greatness, His love, His mercy, His redeeming power.
Oh, that I could be an artist to tell the story. But, then I realize . . . I am the art. Yes, I am the art! I am the moving, breathing art of God’s story.
Yes, those tears are certainly not the ending. Look, look, oh beautiful art to your Artist. How He smiles. How He delights in creating your story. Now, now, soul, relax. Let be. For it will be beautiful. It will. Tragedy does not have the last word . . . it may be redeemed yet.
Every life has a purpose, which the owner of that life wants to find it out or not. I used to search for that, just want to be a "smart person" and don't want to waste my life.All I found out that the meaning of life is to reflect God's image. Except that, there is no other meaning at all. That explains why a lot of philosophers committed suicide.
ReplyDeleteBeside that, there are 4 main issues that in life we want to understand:Passion for justice，longing for spirituality，hunger for relationship，yearning for beauty.But when I shed the tear or even blood to gain for what I desired, it was just me that against the whole word.There was no way to obtain any of last, at least not for a long term, even worse there was no way out of this struggling except death, which is another huge fear that nobody wants to face. Then I have been pulled out of the mist and mire by His grace. Indeed there is no way out on this earth, but He doesn't belong to this earth, and that's the reason why it is so precious. Not a single day passed by that I regret I am a christian, but I feel pity that I didn't know God earlier.
Now I solved the meaning of life, the very next question is how to live the life, how to pursuit the 4 key issues in life,not as what I want, but as what He wants. All in one world: LOVE. Then we find it expanded into several verses in scripture,which is 1 Corinthians 13:4-7, and it covers every aspect in life. That's the wisdom that no human being can compete. And by His grace, we are in His love.
Beautiful Emily:)
ReplyDelete