Certainty

In the past weeks one of our good friends passed away after a long but heroic struggle against cancer. His family continues to show me how a deep faith can help us bear such grief and pain.

Two days ago a family which shares friendships in our congregation had to allow their four-year-old grandchild to die in the hospital after a severe disease suddenly attacked him. The child was dead in less than a week  despite emergency surgery!

Wherever we look, there is suffering and death. Spring, with its lush growth, the busyness of birds in building nests, and the beautiful colours of new spring flowers -- including the lowly dandelion -- alone can balance that very painful side of life for me.

These events often make me ponder the Scriptures about living with God now and in eternity. I only understand the entire meaning of the writings of the Apostle Paul with difficulty when he writes about the Christian life or about being 'in Christ'. I find it easier to understand the stories Jesus told, for example, about the mustard seed-tree that is like the Kingdom of Heaven because it provides nesting room for all kinds of 'birds', or about his Father's house that has many rooms -- that he went to prepare for his disciples, so that where he is they would also be! 

A young friend who heard me say this a while ago commented: 'that's what makes God like a real father. He tells good stories'. I agree.

Despite my struggle with understanding Scripture, I find there are many beautiful short stories contained in its pages to bring me comfort and for me to rest my life on, so that I don't have to fear anything in this life. God has my total trust!

How about you? Do you struggle with 'certainty' because you feel you should understand God's Word more completely? Choose a story that gives you comfort or assurance. Reflect on it. Speak with God about what you don't understand or still wish to know more about. Be honest about why you can't find total peace even despite this Word. Leave it with God & pray about it again tomorrow.  Allow yourself to think and dream about this one story for weeks --   

You'll be rewarded by the Holy Spirit. You'll see!             God bless you