On
several occasions during the course of the summer I have noticed someone’s
extensive efforts at piling rocks (typically from larger to smaller) along the
shore path and out by Bar Island. Piled rocks are usually known as cairns. Such
piles may serve as memorials, landmarks, monuments or markers. One thing is
certain about cairns: they do not pile themselves. Rocks do not move from
disorder to order on their own. An outside force… an intelligent force acted upon
them to craft them into interesting sizes and shapes. I believe the wonderful
order of the universe displays the same truth: an intelligent force crafted it
in all its wonder and glory, and that “force” was the God of the Bible and the
Father of our Lord, Jesus Christ.
The
cairns on the shore are subject to natural forces of wind and water as the
tides come and go. They are subject to the forces of children and other people
who may gain pleasure from knocking the order out of them. Sin loves to knock the
order out of God’s world. It loves to corrupt, to put out of balance, and to
set the beauty of God’s creation into disarray of all kinds. Through the sins
of men and women – people just like me – the enemy seeks to do everything
possible to undo the works of our Creator. And along with physical filth and
inappropriate use of resources, great disorder has come to relationships, human
interaction, and personal well-being. Sickness and death have come where they
were not intended by the Lord. Brokenness and pain increase all around us, and
sometimes within us.
Is there
any hope for the world, and for people like me in it? Absolutely! God sent His
Son. And in sending His Son He began redeeming and remaking His world and He
struck the death blow on sin and death itself. The world is on a path to being
re-made and renewed by our God. We who have been given life through Christ are
part of this process. We are objects of God’s healing and renewing power, and
He has made us agents of His grace and power to change the world. Because we
have Jesus Christ, we have been given grace to be vessels through whom He
works: sometimes in bigger ways, and sometimes in smaller ways.
The
cairns on the shore may be rebuilt again and again, only to be knocked down
again and again. But the restoring work of Christ – starting in us – cannot be
undone. Christ’s restoring work is eternal in nature and power. The cross has defeated
the enemy and his attempts to overcome order with disorder. This has
significant implications for my life each day. Deeper, further, and higher with
Christ brings me deeper, further, and higher in the ways of eternity. Each step
with the Lord brings me closer to the way He intends things to be for the rest
of eternity… in my personal life… my relationships… and my understanding. The
wonderful thing is that what God rebuilds cannot be broken. And when all has
been restored and renewed, the enemy will have no power or influence left. The
Lord will send him away into what the Bible calls the lake of fire. If you have
ever wondered what the world would look like if sin hadn’t entered it, we will
know then. I doubt that words can capture the glory of it. Yet in Christ it is
more certain than anything.
Romans 8:18-21 (NIV) 18 I consider that our present sufferings are
not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. 19 The
creation waits in eager expectation for the sons of God to be revealed. 20
For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own
choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope 21 that
the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought
into the glorious freedom of the children of God.
Matthew 16:18
(NIV) And I tell you that you are Peter, and
on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome
it.
2 Corinthians
4:7-10 (NIV) 7 But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that
this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. 8 We
are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair;
9 persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not
destroyed. 10 We always carry around in our body the
death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body.
Revelation 21:1-5 (NIV) 1 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth,
for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no
longer any sea. 2 I saw the Holy City, the new
Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully
dressed for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice
from the throne saying, "Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will
live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and
be their God. 4 He will wipe every tear from their
eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old
order of things has passed away." 5 He who was
seated on the throne said, "I am making everything new!" Then he
said, "Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true."
PRAYER: Father, thank you that the enemy’s attempts at
putting this world into disarray have been defeated at the cross. Thank you for
the empty tomb, and the restoration of the universe that awaits us, and that
has already begun in the power of your indwelling Spirit. You are an awesome
God and worthy of our wonder and praise. Thank you for restoring me and
inviting me in to your healing of the world. I am at your disposal, to use as
you please to set things aright all around me. In Jesus’ name, AMEN.”
Jesus
Christ is Lord!
Scott
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