Wednesday, March 22, 2006
Not Surprised By Joy
Mike Russell's new blog - The Lord Of The Kingdom - in which he is exploring Christian themes and lesson in Tolkien's work is fascinating. His latest entry looks at the role of joy, and faith in God of joy plays in our lives.
A long time ago I learned that one of the key components to living in this fashion is to come to understand that I will never know, I can only know a God that knows. How desparately we want to know and to control.
When I pray about this, I pray for more than assurance that things will end in joy, I pray for the wisdom to rely on a God who knows and understands far more than I ever can.
Related Tags: joy, reliance, humility, faith, trust, God, Christianity
If we truly believe that the world and life end in eucatastrophe - in joy - then our decisions and priorities every day will reflect that conviction. Our isolated beliefs will become our operating beliefs. We will not despair - since, as Gandalf says, despair is only for those who know the outcome of all things - but will rejoice and choose to do that which is good and right. Decisions will be based not on expediency nor pragmatism, but on the truths and principles given to us by God. He knows the beginning and end. And He knows the outcome is one of eucatastrophe, not despair. He is in control; He is omnipotent: His final purposes cannot and will not be foiled.The challenge is to live as if God's promises are real and they will be fulfilled. How often we fail at that.
The Christian?s life should reflect that immutable fact.
A long time ago I learned that one of the key components to living in this fashion is to come to understand that I will never know, I can only know a God that knows. How desparately we want to know and to control.
When I pray about this, I pray for more than assurance that things will end in joy, I pray for the wisdom to rely on a God who knows and understands far more than I ever can.
Related Tags: joy, reliance, humility, faith, trust, God, Christianity
