What we're made for and what we're waiting for.

Most days I am doing just fine. In fact, I’m doing more than fine, truly enjoying the life to which our God has called me! The work I get to do with the good people of Redeemer Lutheran Church is good work, satisfying work, teamed with wonderful sons and daughters of the Most High. My health is terrific, and our family is growing and doing well, an affirmative answer to our prayers. Thank you, dear Father in heaven.

But then there are those moments when my view is captivated by the work of the Old Evil Foe. My dissatisfaction with the way people treat one another (military invasions, violence in our streets, vicious exchanges on social media, and what have you) can at moments bring me very low. My prayerful desire in such moments is for the Spirit of the Living God boldly to manifest Himself, reconciling and uniting people through the power of the crucifixion and the resurrection of Christ Jesus.

A quote that comes to mind regarding that desire comes from C. S. Lewis: “If I find in myself a desire which no experience in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that I was made for another world.”

We were made for a world of God’s abundant presence. We soiled that world with our sin and so there are those ills, those disappointments, and those outright evils. This will be the case until Jesus returns and ushers in the Kingdom, new and glorious, which was purchased by His blood. “In this world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).

Sometimes, these little gems come along, however, and give us a glimpse of the world

to come. At worship I usually make it a practice to bless the children who come forward with their family for Holy Communion. This past Saturday night, while making the sign of the cross over a little boy I said something like “God’s grace always give you comfort and joy!” He responded by pointing at me and saying, “You, too!”

Thank you, heavenly Father, for this grace, too!