Friday, June 24, 2011

"Nothing Is Yet In Its True Form"

"Nothing is yet in its true form." C.S. Lewis, Till We Have Faces
This statement from C.S. Lewis is both encouraging and scary at the same time.  Change can be exciting and terrifying.  On one hand, it is encouraging that some things will be changed.  I will be changed, slowly more conformed into the image of Christ.  Also, the sickness and troubles of this life will be gone.  The struggles of this life will be resolved; the pain will be gone.  Yet, change can also be scary.  Often I am content where I am at, I am comfortable.  I do not want to change.


The point is we cannot cling to anything too tightly.  To use another C.S. Lewis analogy, too often we are content to play in the mud puddle, when God wants to take us to play at the sea shore.  God had great plans for you, as long as you are willing to stop clinging to mud.  


We cannot cling to relationships; they will end or change.  We cannot hold on to happiness; it will invariably slip away.  We also cannot hold on to sorrow or pain; if we hold on to it too long, it will kill us, figuratively or literally.  We cannot trust in our wealth; it is fleeting.


There are only two constants in our lives.  God is our Rock, a Shield, and a Wall behind which we can hide.  He is the only One who can truly say, "I will never leave or forsake You."  He does not change and He is faithful.  We can also depend on His Word and the promises in it: 
"Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will not pass away." (Luke 21:33, NASB) 
The only things in life we can trust completely are God and His Word.  Everything else will, in the end pass away and fail us.


We cannot lift our hands up to God unless our hands are open.  If we do not open our hands up and give whatever is in them to God, He will pry them open.


My fellow believer, do not cling to this life or this world too tightly.  Be in the world, but not of it.  God is not done with you.  Do not look behind at the world.  Instead, embrace His transforming power in your life.  Be encouraged and welcome change in your life; have confidence that, 
"He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus." (Philippians 1:6, NASB).
What say you?  What are you holding on to too tightly?  Are you resisting change?  Does it scare you?

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