Today’s blog, written by Pastor Ryun Chang (Teaching Pastor AMI), was first posted on February 5, 2013.
Spiritual Food for Thought for the Weekend
“Vulnerability Will Set You Free”
Colossians 3:3
“For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.”
Yesterday, I mentioned that I got scolded by my daughter (then a senior year in high school) for criticizing books she was reading even though I hadn’t read them. One of those books was The Shack by William P. Young.
The novel by Young, who describes his life as “suffer[ing] great loss as a child and young adult,” was a book I couldn’t put down. At the end, the protagonist Mackenzie, a broken father haunted by the memory of his murdered daughter, received the closure that he desperately needed, from the Trinity! (which I addressed previously).
Despite some things that made me wonder about its meaning, by the time I finished the novel, I felt grateful that the author, whose novel reflected his own life, did not shun God in a bitter protest as in, “How could you let this happen to my daughter?” Instead, he allowed a measure of healing to take place through Christ. In the end, when Mackenzie said to Jesus, “‘All my best treasures are now hidden in you,” the Lord responded with “clear and true voice of assurance,” saying, “I am.”
The fact is, we don’t always have answers. I have a nephew and niece who lost their mother and another set of nephew and niece who lost their father when they were less than 5 years of old. How do you make sense of that? You don’t and you can’t! But we put our trust in the goodness of the One who suffered for us all! We can ask the questions when we arrive in heaven! Meanwhile, Christ is more than sufficient to hide ourselves in Him—“for you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.”
Prayer: God, thank You that You did not save your Son when he cried out, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me.” Because You left Your Son on the cross to die for us, I know that You empathize with me when I suffer. That’s comforting. Ultimately, I have the eternity to look forward to when we will all be reunited! Amen.
Bible Reading for Today: Isaiah 24
Amen. Thank you.
I had not watched the Shack nor read the book but recently came across a Netflix series by the author where he explains the book and the autobiographical aspects pertaining to him.
God has used this series, amongst many other modalities in this past year, to lead through to a measure of healing from my broken heart.
I’m grateful your post reminds me of the personal ways that Father God is working in my life (and all His children) to bring restoration and redemption through Jesus, by the Holy Spirit- not only for our eternity in heaven with Him but also for thus present life He’s given us.
God bless you and your family Pastor Ryun!
Jean
Thank you for your kind comment. May our God richly protect and grow you and your family in 2020.