Restore Point (October 2017)

I join in all creation in hoping for the end – whether this end be due to circumstances brought about by our own doing, or someone else’s schemes, or if I am blessed to be made witness to the literal end of time and space, it matters not – for this ‘end’ is a literal transition into eternity with an infinite God whose love for us is perfect and everlasting.

… And though I look forward to death, while I possess life in this reality, I could not help but be thankful right here, right now… because I am secure in love, the same perfect and everlasting love; yes, this same love which is as relentless as it is longsuffering. In the fullness of time, this same love did not hesitate to forsake eternity and infinity, to be born and to live as one of us, and to die the death we deserved, that we would have the life He deserved.. once and for all. By His love which acted first, and by His love which gave everything up, it was made possible for us to be with Him, and for Him to be with us, together, forever.

So with that said, anything and everything perceived as reality by my mortal body and its senses are seen with a new heart and a new spirit established in an immortal Christ, whose life is tethered to mine, as I am a branch, and as He is the Vine. Eternity is alive in me, and in this very moment, even as I am alive within the bounds of time and space, Christ made it possible for the truth of the matter to be that I am also alive, in the communion of the body of Christ and all the saints, in eternity.

I find meaning and I find myself agreeing with Paul that indeed, we walk by faith, and not by sight. The things what our mortal eyes see are mortal, and the things unseen take priority. We do not see the wind, yet we know it is there. Consequently, we may not see the glory of God literally, but we recognize that indeed, His power is made perfect in weakness, and we see that He causes all things to work together for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purpose.

Also, this unshakable, unbreakable union we have with Christ is a demonstration and a manifestation of God’s perfect love. I say this because as this perfect love casts out all fear, I am free from worrying if God is with me or not. I am free from fearing the absence of God when this mortal body does not feel the comfort and hubris it usually associates to God’s active favor and presence. I am free to climb every mountain, and to bravely run into the valley, as I am guided by the Holy Spirit, who convicts me of my absolute righteousness in Christ.

I am free, and I am free to bounce right back up even when I stumble, and even when I sin, knowing that nothing can ever, ever separate me from the love of my Father, as I am always in Christ. And speaking of sin, I am free from its shackles and obligations and lusts; I am also free to live a life of righteousness, which enables and empowers me, rendering me always overflowing with perfect and everlasting love. This is a life, a life abundant, where I am free to give thanks to God at all times, knowing that I am always connected to Him, and He always hears me. I am free to rejoice at all times, seeing Christ in and through all things, fully aware of God’s will for me fulfilled through Christ alive in me.

Speaking of God’s will. I am the righteousness of God in Jesus Christ, and because of Christ, I am dead to sin. I have been set free from the power of sin and sexual immorality – I have been set free from the objectification of the human body and the flesh. Because of Christ, I have also been made alive into righteousness. I have been set free to live, honoring man and woman alike as they are made in the image and likeness of God.

I am free, and I am free, again, to see beyond what the world calls disgraceful and ridiculous, free to see through what is obnoxious and difficult, recognizing that as I am loved unconditionally, I can love others unconditionally. Because of Christ, I can see women and the enemies of a man-made society as equally loved and cared for by God.

I am free, and I am free to give all that I have, as Christ gave all for me, above and beyond what the world expects from humanity, knowing that even in the absence of all the comforts of the world, Christ remains to be with me, undiminished, superabounding.

I am free from making decisions based on what is right and wrong, and I am free to make decisions based on what gives life, and what gives death. I am free to believe that, indeed, it is far greater to give than to receive. I am free, secure, knowing that even if I am in the company of people who agree with me, or even if I am in the midst of men and women who would even kill people who disagree with their political opinions and religious views, I know that Christ loves me and is absolutely alive in me.