A Wonder

Lost is over. I know it has been nearly a year since the last episode of the last season, but we've just finished the series on DVD, courtesy of Aaron and his collection. While viewing the series, Cynth and I talked about the episodes as questions would arise, as well as discussing the meaning behind some of the plot or dialogue. There was plenty to talk about as most of the elements dealt with spiritual matters, if not Christian.

One of the most often elements was that "we are here for a purpose." Another popular element was that one character after another would be told they were "special" and that they had something important to do. Into these elements, the characters brought their baggage, the stuff of their lives. It often demonstrated that the events that made up their lives prepared them uniquely for their purpose, or it presented a growth opportunity.

Tonight we watched a Veggietales video with Rachael, "It's A Meaningful Life," their version of "It's A Wonderful Life." The story is similar. A character wishes that one event early in life had turned out different, and he is shown how that would have changed so many things about him and the people he cares so much about. He is admonished that God created him special and ordered the things in his life precisely and specifically for his plan for him.

Haven't I been saying similar things in this space? We all are created uniquely and in God's image. Over our life we develop as God designs for the purpose he is fitting us for, even those who don't yet confess him. We develop by the events of our life - some we handle well, others get the better of us, but after all, we are human and our best isn't ever good enough. So we're brought to the place where God reveals to us how desperately we need him to save us. And although he does reach us in our depravity, justifies us with Christ's righteousness, we continue the struggle that commenced when we first drew breath and were confronted by the realization that things here are not as they should be.

We all want things to be perfect, in some cases that is our brand of perfection which may or may not coincide with God's perfection. Individuals, corporations and governments all spend lots of money, time and effort to bring about perfection. They fail. They fail because as man they're flawed. Only one has been perfect and he is even now restoring the perfection that was lost. Until then, perfection is found in submitting oneself to God in the place where he has put you, doing what he has designed for you to do throughout your life.

For me,Cynth, our kids, family and friends, that place is this cancer and whatever it may bring. Of course it is not what we want. If it were, where would be the submission to God's will and the denying of our own? Is it defeatist to claim God's promise for good in the face of what we consider bad? To painfully but boldly pray " as God wills for his glory," do we give up? If we give voice to the pain, hurt, fear, discouragement and even anger at the wrong we experience, do we live as those without hope? No!

God wants us to be that real, I need to be that real for my own sake. Thanks to God, I am truly being blessed to be increasingly transparent. Being so I feel my need for him - his salvation, his presence, his strength, his comfort, his peace - and I am renewed. I am renewed to praise him for this opportunity, for walking with me, for giving us you to walk this path with us. Praise God for this meaningful life.