Looking Like We Are Saved...

Souvenirs of Solitude

Finding Rest In Abba's Embrace

by, Brennan Manning

We, as Christ followers, go about our lives very somber at times. We look as if we have the hardest life...nothing is good in our lives...a  the things we plan see to "go south" on us.

But we have a joy...the joy of our salvation within us. Why is it we have difficulty showing our joy in the Lord but no difficulty showing joy when we are...say...going to a party with loved ones?

The kingdom of God is like a wedding feast. Now we all like weddings and have a great time at the reception. We have been invited to the reception to beat all receptions. So why is it so hard to show that joy? Do we really believe we are invited or do we just don't trust in God's promises?

Our hope...our joy is not in the fact we are invited to the wedding banquet...it is in the fact that we will conquer over the suffering in our lives and be at the Great Banquet our God has waiting for us in Heaven, after we have run our course on earth, and God is waiting with arms wide open to "hug us in."

Our hope stands firm even in the face of the Chaos and death around us. Nothing can change it or take it away...except we ourselves with and faithlessness. God has promised and God doesn't break promises to His children.

Jesus gives us a radical call...a radical leap in hope...found in the joy of the Good News. Do we believe the Word of God and it's truth? Then why so "glum chum." We have a wealth spring of joy just waiting to be tapped into...a well so full that it will flow out to and upon the world around us. 

We have hope not just in out Heavenly home but also in the banquet God sets before us each day/ God offers us a world of hope...a world full of His splendor...a world in which we can delight in...if we only allow ourselves the joy of living within God's banquet of love for us...Now that's something to smile about...