Here's the update on my life:
I've realized, yet again, the deeper implications of Heavenly citizenship. It means that every human relationship is temporary. "Season" is one of my favorite words because it recognizes the temporary nature of life on Earth.
With the dissolution (maybe "transition" is a better word) of my relationship with Stanley, I realize that for a successful Christian marriage both spouses must recognize their Heavenly citizenship. Marriage is just as temporary as any relationship in light of eternity. Though I should be used to such world-rocking truths, my world continues to rock.
I am made for Heaven.
This reality is brighter than the shadows of Earth. Pain and pleasure are temporary. Joy and grief are temporary, too. Praise God, I was made to worship Him. Worship is eternal. So, in embracing eternal life, I'm using more time to pray. More time to read His Word. More time to love His people. More time to rest in His love.
"the reality, however, is in Christ." -Colossians 2:17
This is how a soul heals: reclaiming identity in Christ. Even if my heart gets damaged on Earth, my eternal heart cannot be broken. Jesus holds my heart too tightly. There's a promise in John 10 that "no one can snatch them out of the Father's hand." That promise is not temporary, it's eternal!
All this to say, I'm doing better.
My perspective was broken for a season. Life is hard when I forget that I'm from Heaven. Now, I hope to keep walking in this conviction. Now, I hope to share this Truth with those I love. Now, I hope that Christ's love will again pour out of my life, drawing others to Himself.
This is how the Kingdom spreads. This is how God brings Heaven to Earth. This is how the Church is built. This is how Christ's name is proclaimed. This is how we live.
Thursday, January 17, 2013
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Ephesians 5
Therefore, be imitators of God as dearly loved children and live in love, just as Christ also loved us and gave himself for us, a sacrificial and fragrant offering to God. But among you there must not be either sexual immorality, impurity of any kind, or greed, as these are not fitting for the saints. Neither should there be vulgar speech, foolish talk, or coarse jesting – all of which are out of character – but rather thanksgiving. For you can be confident of this one thing: that no person who is immoral, impure, or greedy (such a person is an idolater) has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.
Let nobody deceive you with empty words, for because of these things God’s wrath comes on the sons of disobedience. Therefore do not be partakers with them, for you were at one time darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of the light – for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness, and truth – and find out what pleases the Lord. Do not participate in the unfruitful deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. For the things they do in secret are shameful even to mention. But all things being exposed by the light are made evident. For everything made evident is light, and for this reason it says:
“Awake, O sleeper!
Rise from the dead,
and Christ will shine on you!”
Therefore be very careful how you live – not as unwise but as wise, taking advantage of every opportunity, because the days are evil. For this reason do not be foolish, but be wise by understanding what the Lord’s will is. And do not get drunk with wine, which is debauchery, but be filled by the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing and making music in your hearts to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for each other in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, and submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.
Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord, because the husband is the head of the wife as also Christ is the head of the church – he himself being the savior of the body. But as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything. Husbands, love your wives just as Christ loved the church and gave himself for her to sanctify her by cleansing her with the washing of the water by the word, so that he may present the church to himself as glorious – not having a stain or wrinkle, or any such blemish, but holy and blameless. In the same way husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. For no one has ever hated his own body but he feeds it and takes care of it, just as Christ also does the church, for we are members of his body. For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and will be joined to his wife, and the two will become one flesh. This mystery is great – but I am actually speaking with reference to Christ and the church. Nevertheless, each one of you must also love his own wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.
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