“Life is lived forward but understood backward.” Soren Kierkegaard
Christ rose after He was crucified. Life in heaven happens after a sometimes debilitating disease here on earth.
Jesus is the Lord of Glory.
It is so difficult to understand why we go through some of the things we do here on earth: sick loved ones, a life cut short, a tragic accident. Yes, we do live our lives forward. Sometimes, a few years down the road, we can understand some of the things that have been happening in our lives as we look backwards. I think some of the things we encounter will not be understood until heaven.
This is where trust comes in. Jesus never said we would be spared suffering. Here is what He did say, “In the world you will have trouble.” (John 16:33)
Suffering and loss touch each of us in different ways. But so also does the presence of Christ as we have faith in His presence and as we hope in His promises.
God is still trustworthy. Think of Christians who have chosen to trust Him in the midst of tragedy(those in Rwanda, missionaries in China, etc.). This same trust has sustained Christians for generations.
I cannot simply muster up trust. However, I can pay attention to the faithfulness of Jesus. He is always faithful! I can experience insight into the reality of God! I can ask Him to help me do that!
When living life, what I need to focus on is Jesus’ face. I need to “live forward” looking at Him.
Bless you!
Thora
