John Donne said this about the soul being in the dark: "Even in the depth of any spiritual night, in the shadow of death, in the midnight of afflictions and tribulations, God brings light out of darkness and gives His saints occasion of glorifying Him, not only in the dark (though it be dark) but from the dark (because it is dark)...This is a way inconceivable by any, inexpressible to any, but those that have felt that manner of God's proceeding in themselves, that be the night what night will...they see God better in the dark."
I still like it to be light without tribulations, trials and afflictions. God help me to be prepared to see God when the dark comes to me.
"A journey, a pilgrimage! In the "bright sadness" of Lent, we see -- far, far away -- the destination. It is the joy of Easter, it is the entrance into the glory of the Kingdom. And it is this vision, the foretaste of Easter, that makes Lent's sadness bright and our lenten effort a "spiritual spring." The night may be dark and long, but all along the way a mysterious and radiant dawn seems to shine on the horizon."
[Alexander Schmemann, Orthodox priest, died 1983]
Isaiah 62:4 ...for the Lord delights in you
Isaiah 62:5 ...and as the bridegroom rejoices over the bride so shall your God rejoice over you."
God tells us through the prophet that His delight is in God's people and that God rejoices over those who trust in Him.
Isaiah explains that in God's great plan of salvation, God not only forgives His people, protects them, heals them, provides for them, restores them to their homes, reconciles them to each other, transforms them so they are righteous, honors them, exalts them above all nations, and makes them a blessing to all nations as He called them to be, but more than all these things God actually delights in His people."
What God thinks of you in Christ is amazing, marvelous and wonderful!
"Lent encourages those of us who feel lost to get our lives back on track. It turns us toward Christ who meets us where we are, offers his life as the way and invites us to follow. Christ frees us from those chains holding our lives in bondage -- the chains of fear, addiction, and evils -- from which we seek release. Christ also frees us for a new life of discipleship, obedience and adventure. We are set free to love, to praise, and to serve God with our whole being. When we follow Christ, he liberates us from our shackles to become the people that God wants us to be. This is the glorious freedom offered to the children of God!"
[from Pauses For Lent by Trevor Hudson]
Philippians 2:5 "Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus,"
No comments:
Post a Comment