In the end that Face which is the delight or the terror of the universe must be turned upon each of us either with one expression or with the other, either conferring glory inexpressible or inflicting shame that can never be cured or disguised… The promise of glory is the promise, almost incredible and only possible by the work of Christ, that some of us, that any of us who really chooses, shall actually survive that examination, shall find approval, shall please God. To please God…to be a real ingredient in the divine happiness…to be loved by God, not merely pitied, but delighted in as an artist delights in his work or a son—it seems impossible, a weight or burden of glory which our thoughts can hardly sustain. But so it is.
~from the writing of CS “Jack” Lewis
So then, brothers, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him… For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies.
~paul, The Least of The Apostles, in Romans 8
Oh beloved, it is true.
But we really, really, really can have a hard time believing it.
Some of us have had a bad dad, or no dad. Some of us had a really good dad, but still have the hardest time believing the mystery of mysteries in The Very Good News of The Gospel. You, any of you readers who have earnestly looked away from any path that you thought might save your own life, and looked to The Blessed Hope only available in our Lord Christ Jesus – are a child of G_d.
Oh, we can accept this at some lower, or symbolic level. We may even feel the warmth that comes from a beautiful story reminding us of all the myths where people make it home and live happily ever after. We might even be able to intellectually grasp the idea that somehow, someday we might have some sort of VIP visit with our Maker after arriving in some heavenly realm, where we will while away our days floating peacefully on clouds and enjoying music or something.
But beloved, the Gospel is not just a nice story. It is, in fact, the most subversive of all mythology – because it is not only a story. In the Life of Christ, all the archetypes and stereotypes of story, and myth and philosophy crashed off the page, and smashed through the barriers of the real world. As CS Lewis also said: “Myth became Fact.” G_d became a man in Jesus, and His life, work, and resurrection has effected our salvation.
But, have we truly even begun to understand the nature of this “being saved” we so often talk about?
Can we see it?
Regardless of all the sin and shame and fear and failure and flesh and all the forces of hell arraying themselves against this astounding reality… Don’t shy away from it. For if we do, we miss much of the power curve The Gospel can have in our earthly – and future Kingdom – lives.
(Disclaimer: whatever i write below will fall utterly short of the reality i am trying to describe)
Imagine for a moment, a cool, crisp, breezy and bright day – One Day. You are out on a beautiful plaza of stone (or wait, is that opaque diamond?). The air is cool in a way that you have never felt. And it is so clean that you can smell it. You are looking out over a vast area of land. As far as you can see, you see life, growth on BEAUTIFUL trees, and a permeating sense of permanence. And way up behind you, you hear the flag of your New Home flapping blue and white and pomegranate from a platinum mast some 100 metres high… You are Home. You are in the Kingdom of Heaven, and you are only beginning to get a sense of the incredible adventure before you. But wait? Is that all? Just a really, absolutely amazing place?
No…
A Voice with the sound of many waters, speaks to you. It is as if Love itself becomes words and flows into your soul. Then, a hand on your shoulder. A hand you had ever wished would have been on your shoulder. You felt little inklings of it in the strong hands of the good men in your former life… but this is something completely other!
“Son, I would hear your thoughts on this project we are building to grow this crop of star-fruit across the universe. It will be a healing and blessing to trillions. The tree farmers have bred this for millions of seasons. It is the best fruit in all the new heavens on this new earth.”
What?!???!!!!
“Son, you are ready. You spent decades in the shadow-world preparing to meet me. I worked in you to bring out skills that you could use forever. How would you work the logistics of transplants to our galaxies on the far side of the Cross super-cluster?”
Suddenly, it hits you… It has taken a few æons to begin to see the depth and reality of it all. You have been drenched mostly in simple and jaw-dropping admiration and worship of Him. Everything – especially in This Kingdom that has no end – is about Him. But now, This One we call Father is showing you exactly Who He Is. He is your Father, and He is drawing you into the business of the Royal Family of forever.
Beloved, there will be a day like this One Day for each of us. Our Lord Christ Jesus has made The Way and intends to present us to OUR Father with GREAT JOY! It is going to happen if we allow it.
Tonight is your night. Time to say it. Say it even to Him this very night. “You are my Father. Abba, show me Your reality, and make me like Your precious Son, Jesus.”
And, don’t be surprised dear one, if you remember this little entry One Day in that Kingdom. You will laugh at how primitive and childlike it was. But you may well remember how it put a little light on the path Home, and brought a little bit more understanding of Our Father. Don’t worry. This is why we will live forever. It will take at least that long to begin to understand it all.
Augustine tells of a vision of seeing a little boy at a beach scooping up the ocean thimbleful by thimbleful and emptying it out on the sand. Then he sees an angel who tells him that this boy will have emptied out the entire ocean long before Augustine has exhausted what can be said about God.
~Peter Kreeft
