It's hard for me to actually wrap my mind around redemption. I mean, I know what it is but I feel like I can't fully appreciate it because I don't entirely know what complete redemption consists of. I can see glimpses of shalom here and there but we won't be completely exposed to perfect harmony until Christ comes back again. That being said I feel like it becomes easy to split our world into sections. The "holy section" and the "non-holy section". Plantinga refutes this very well; "The world isn't divided into a sacred and a secular realm, with redemptive activity confined to the sacred zone. The whole world belongs to God, the whole world has fallen, and so the whole world needs to be redeemed -- every last person, place, organization, and program". What a comfort to know the He will redeem every square inch of His creation. The earth will groan occasionally and we will suffer throughout life but we have an anchor in the storm: Our Lord and Savior!
The final sentence of the chapter really articulated with me. Plantinga ends with these words: "Christians seek wisdom because it helps us find and follow our vocation within the kingdom of God, which has 'come near' but has not yet 'come home'". Before I came to Calvin and even still today I pray about the plans for my life. I feel God calling me in a certain direction but what if it's only my selfish desires telling my to take that path? How can I tell the difference? I guess the only answer I can think of is I have to do what's in accordance with the Word. Only then can God's kingdom come close. But, I get so easily frustrated when God doesn't talk back to me. I want to do what He wants but how can I if every time we talk it feels like a one-way conversation? For now I guess I just have to be content, patient, and trust that He has a plan far greater than mine. I also believe that finally someday, His kingdom will come home forever.
In a strange way, I'm almost excited that I don't fully grasp the concept of redemption, that way I will have no expectations. And even if I did, I know the Creator of the Universe would blow them out of the water.
Gina, it is always helpful for me to remember that one of the greatest ways that God talks to us is through His Word. I think it is also interesting to think about the world isn't divided into what is being redeemed and what is not. It is because of God's grace that everything can be redeemed. It is our Father's world.
ReplyDeleteI have struggled with feeling like I am in a one-way conversation as well. Its hard to trust that God is there and listening and guiding us even though he doesn't just speak to us like we want him to. I agree with Kendra that God can talk to us a lot through his world, but there are a lot of other ways too. Just like we can learn from experiences and other people I think he can also show us his will for us in those things as well. I was talking to my psychology teach one time about the schools I had visited and which one I wanted to go to and she asked me an interesting question. She asked which one felt the best. I thought this was interesting because although I had considered that feeling at home at a college was important other things like the overall reputation of the school and the class sizes etc. seemed more important. She explained to me that God can lead us through our feels as well. Although just like other peoples advice and the Bible can not be used in every circumstance and we must have discretion of when our selfish desires get in the way, I think it is an interesting thing to think about.
ReplyDeleteEven though it was only a small part of your post, I really like the picture you presented in Jesus Christ being our anchor in the storm of this life. He holds us in place thought the ship we are in may rock to and fro.
ReplyDeleteOne thing that I have often questioned myself of, when we consider everything being wiped away: will all of the art be wiped away too? I would assume so, considering it all must have been tainted by sin in one way or another. But it sure would be a shame. Then again, we have all of eternity to remake it, and better.
ReplyDeleteThere were also times that I wondered (and I still wonder) if what I am doing right now at the moment is what God wants me to be doing or is it just my selfish desire that is making me do this stuffs. And still find it difficult to know what God really wants from me..
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