This is beautiful. Thank you. I think it was Blaise Pascal who said there is a God shaped vacuum in each of our hearts. There is a longing that nothing in this world can satisfy. And, like you said, it's super easy to gloss over that and pretend it doesn't exist. It's easy to keep chasing ephemeral fantasies instead of looking our exile full in the eyes. Thank you for sharing, this was inspiring to me.
Thank you, Christianna! I'm so glad it spoke to you. I love the God-shaped vacuum analogy. I think it's that longing that most appeals in a character. Hoping I get better at writing those haha!
What a powerful Post! I've spent 54 years as "Dr. Mom", since I was twelve and my mother was badly injured, and this hits home - hard. There is more than one exile - and the more God has for us to do, the more exiles we'll see. This past year, I've had a new exile and about the time I got accustomed to it, it dug in deeper. I keep reminding myself that I don't know what tomorrow holds - but I know for certain who holds tomorrow! Thank you for this post!
Thank you, Laura! That is so encouraging. If we're called, I believe we *will* fill up whatever is lacking in Christ's sufferings. There's no other way. As Paul Washer put it in one of his gut-wrenching sermons, "I don't want to get to heaven without scars!"
Well, there's Nothing Lacking in Christ's sufferings, but when we are Called to follow him, we've been told we will also suffer. Growth comes out of suffering, as does faith and understanding. All of these are to our benefit. We should bear those scars gladly in His service, knowing it's nothing to what Christ suffered for us.
Really great stuff. It is important to note the importance of suffering and heartache in the shaping of Character. God uses even the darkest colors to paint a tapestry.
I express a similar idea in a recent post I wrote. Curious on your thoughts if you care to give them. Again really great stuff!
Hi DB, thanks for weighing in! There is a sense in which God is "writing" each of us in real time. It's both fascinating and terrifying. I find myself wishing I wasn't written so intensely, but I'm not the author.
Appreciate your piece. Just subscribed. Feel free to sub back if you're interested--no worries if not. I'm an agented writer of fantasy looking to break into mainstream publishing. Very much a neo-inkling if ever there was one. Cheers!
Awesome, Subbed as well. Same sort of journey over here as well. Feel free to DM me, love to bounce off ideas and share each others work. Iron sharpens Iron!
Awesome! It's hard to keep track of folks on here haha. So many options. I do hope my project is unique enough to be sticky. I'll be adding contributors soon. Really excited about that! Cheers!
Thank you, Anna! I sooo appreciate that. God is working, and he isn't like us. Gotta stay close to him and stay faithful. Appreciate our interactions on here!
Thank you for sharing this. I deeply resonate with your story. My prayers will be with your family and for your son. May mercy meet you where you are today.
This is beautiful. Thank you. I think it was Blaise Pascal who said there is a God shaped vacuum in each of our hearts. There is a longing that nothing in this world can satisfy. And, like you said, it's super easy to gloss over that and pretend it doesn't exist. It's easy to keep chasing ephemeral fantasies instead of looking our exile full in the eyes. Thank you for sharing, this was inspiring to me.
Thank you, Christianna! I'm so glad it spoke to you. I love the God-shaped vacuum analogy. I think it's that longing that most appeals in a character. Hoping I get better at writing those haha!
Ah, don't we we all. ;)
What a powerful Post! I've spent 54 years as "Dr. Mom", since I was twelve and my mother was badly injured, and this hits home - hard. There is more than one exile - and the more God has for us to do, the more exiles we'll see. This past year, I've had a new exile and about the time I got accustomed to it, it dug in deeper. I keep reminding myself that I don't know what tomorrow holds - but I know for certain who holds tomorrow! Thank you for this post!
Thank you, Laura! That is so encouraging. If we're called, I believe we *will* fill up whatever is lacking in Christ's sufferings. There's no other way. As Paul Washer put it in one of his gut-wrenching sermons, "I don't want to get to heaven without scars!"
Well, there's Nothing Lacking in Christ's sufferings, but when we are Called to follow him, we've been told we will also suffer. Growth comes out of suffering, as does faith and understanding. All of these are to our benefit. We should bear those scars gladly in His service, knowing it's nothing to what Christ suffered for us.
It's definitely a mystery what "lack" Paul is talking about in colossians 1:24. But whatever it means, it's our part to fill in there.
Suffering shapes character like nothing else on earth no matter where you live, work or mistakes you’ve made. So be kind first💙
Well said! I appreciate your perspective!
Really great stuff. It is important to note the importance of suffering and heartache in the shaping of Character. God uses even the darkest colors to paint a tapestry.
I express a similar idea in a recent post I wrote. Curious on your thoughts if you care to give them. Again really great stuff!
https://dbtaylor.substack.com/p/hemingway-longed-for-the-gospel?r=22o631
Hi DB, thanks for weighing in! There is a sense in which God is "writing" each of us in real time. It's both fascinating and terrifying. I find myself wishing I wasn't written so intensely, but I'm not the author.
Appreciate your piece. Just subscribed. Feel free to sub back if you're interested--no worries if not. I'm an agented writer of fantasy looking to break into mainstream publishing. Very much a neo-inkling if ever there was one. Cheers!
Awesome, Subbed as well. Same sort of journey over here as well. Feel free to DM me, love to bounce off ideas and share each others work. Iron sharpens Iron!
Lots to think about. And thanks for using 'she' for the unnamed writer, instead of that detestable 'they'.
Hahaha you're welcome! I always want things as specific and vivid as possible. Glad the article spoke to you.
Also I definitely thought I was subscribed already - but I am now!
Awesome! It's hard to keep track of folks on here haha. So many options. I do hope my project is unique enough to be sticky. I'll be adding contributors soon. Really excited about that! Cheers!
That’s definitely exciting! It’s a great project!
Leo, this is an excellent article. Thank you for writing it! I’ll be praying for you and your family.
Thank you, Anna! I sooo appreciate that. God is working, and he isn't like us. Gotta stay close to him and stay faithful. Appreciate our interactions on here!
That’s a good word. :) Likewise!
Thank you for sharing this. I deeply resonate with your story. My prayers will be with your family and for your son. May mercy meet you where you are today.
Thank you, Bonita! We really appreciate your prayers. It’s been a tough road for sure.