#dwellwithgod

Man, this really spoke to me this morning... Where do you find comfort, peace, and hope? He alone is my Rock... my Fortress... my SALVATION! . . . #Jesus #Scripture #DwellWithGod #Salvation #Hope https://www.instagram.com/p/CEwjbyHAJLC/?igshid=oex6ioqfngx5

The name of our blog is sometimes shortened and friends use it as a name for our group. It sounds a bit odd to people who hear it. But the name 'meanwhile' actually defines us well. As Christians we believe that the great but troubled story of history will one day be brought to a close by the goodness of God. The final pages of the bible, revelation 21, give us an image of the end of all things, when God will dwell with people - wiping away all tears, bringing to an end death and pain. The whole bible explains that God is present and active in our world; our creator and the one who is working towards the redemption of all things. We were designed to dwell with God. People everywhere are seeking that spiritual something. That something is, we believe, to dwell with God. Today our ability to dwell with God is frustrated by all kinds of issues and obstacles. We look forward the day it will be fully experienced. But ‘meanwhile’ Jesus taught us the way to start to experience that everyday of our lives. The bible explains that God is ultimately powerful - Jesus calls this the ever-present kingdom of God. But God's kingdom is being unveiled in a subversive and unexpected way - rather than using force against people positioned in opposition to God, Jesus went on to die on a cross to signal the coming end of the whole situation of evil, brokenness and pain; inviting anyone and everyone to realign their lives to the purposes of God. So ‘meanwhile' we take part in this great reversal by the way we live, the causes we join and the things we say. Our lives together declare what Gods doing. When we lay aside our opposition to God and accept his invitation, he enters into our lives with his peace. The English word peace doesn't cover all that the Hebrew word contains. Restful, calm, harmony, justice, respect... We long for peace in life... and ‘meanwhile’ we practice this sort of peace. We find a depth to life lived in sync with God that is rich and beautiful. Our lives are part of a bigger picture. We don't live like there's no tomorrow, our story is a 'meanwhile' threaded into the great story of God's love and purpose.