This first chapter of Plantinga's book "Engaging God's World" really struck a chord with me. I never thought about it from that perspective but what Plantinga said made perfect sense. We (have a longing to and) are constantly trying to fill our lives with meaning or success but, in truth, these longings are unfulfillable. Plantinga states, "The same is true of future situations in our lives. We may want a good career or a family or a particular kind of life, and these things may come to us. But if they come, they will not fill all our niches because we want more than these things can give.". That quote really hit me because I feel like those are my goals in life. I want to have a family, a great career and a happy life. Now the Lord may bless me with all these things but in the end, I will never be completely or finally satisfied. This is where God comes in... "He made us for himself". I also think that He created us with a void or longing for something that only HE can fill. To be honest, how cool is that?! We need Him. And not just on Sundays.. He wants us to include Him in every aspect of our lives. This is an encouragement to me because it tells me that God loves me so much that He wants something to do every inch of my life.
Longing is also an ingredient of hope. When you hope for something that means you really want it... and when you want something, you have a general longing for it. I really liked what Lewis B Smedes said about hope: "genuine hope always combines imagination, faith, and desire". To me this means that when you're hopeful you imagine the outcome desired, you have faith that it can occur, and ultimately you desire or long for it to happen. Hebrews 11: 1 comes to my mind. "Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see". This says to me that no, I won't always have all the answers but that's when I need to trust that God has a great plan for my life (Jeremiah 29: 11). "To hope for your future is to affirm the life God gave you and the range of possibilities that it generates".
Growing up in a Christian school, we had to memorize the definition of shalom: the webbing together of God, humans, and all creation in justice, fulfillment and delight. When most people hear the word shalom they think peace but really it's so much more than that. Shalom is the way God intended things to be. Everything working together in perfect harmony. Over the years I've learned that in order to see glimpses of shalom we must bring the kingdom. Bringing to kingdom means to do God's will where ever that may be. Every time we do so, we are blessed to see what God has in store for our eternal lives together with Him. It's such an encouragement to know that God has a place for us. Along with this encouragement lives hope. Hope for an eternal life with God where shalom is the only thing we know. I can't wait :)
Isn't it soooo wonderful to realize that God has a plan for us and that really, whichever path we choose, He is going to lead us to eternal glory?! Now, I'm not saying that we shouldn't pray and ask His will when we have a decision to make; but at the same time, if we make a mistake and choose the wrong path, God will work through that as well and make it a part of our story.
ReplyDeleteI was not taught the concept of shalom as you expressed it, but I think that that perfectly expresses the object of our longing. I know for me that my longings always involve a have been made right.
ReplyDeleteI am so excited for eternal life too! That gives me so much hope...knowing that we do not just rot in the ground. I also am blessed by you reminding me that yes, we do need him. It reminds me of the hymn "I need thee every hour." Me favorite verse is "I need Thee every hour, in joy or pain;
ReplyDeleteCome quickly and abide, or life is in vain." It is so true that life without God is in vain. He gives us our hope and longing because He is our only hope.
This post is so encouraging! It is important for us to get excited about what is in store for us. Too often people focus on the here and they exhaustedly wish that later would come, but its important to rejoice NOW for the awesomeness that will come LATER!
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