ponder

i finally let go of my very legitimate fear of a book and started THE SHACK, knowing full-well that if i started it, i would have to finish it...regardless of how hard it was to face emotions that i was content to leave in the pit of my stomach. i don't like anything that makes me go back to that fear...whether it be a common cold or a story like this one. but, i won't go there. none the less...i found some of the conversations between the leading character and God to be somewhat comforting. there were many times that i felt like i wished the words to be true. then again, maybe they are.

TAKEN FROM THE SHACK:

"You're talking about the church as this woman you're in love with; I'm pretty sure I haven't met her. She's not the place I go on Sundays." -Mack

"I know that your heart is full of pain and anger and a lot of confusion. Together, you and I, we'll get around to some of that while you're here. But I also want you to know that there is more going on than you could imagine or understand, even if I told you. As much as you are able, rest in what trust you have in me, no matter how small, okay?"

"The real underlying flaw in your life is that you don't think that I am good. If you knew I was good and that everything-the means, the ends, and all the proccesses of individual lives-is all covered by my goodness, then while you might not always understand what I am doing, you would trust me. But you don't."

So why do I have so much fear in my life asked Mack. "Because you don't believe. You don't know that we love you. The person who lives by their fears will not find any freedom in my love. I am not talking about fears regarding legitimate dangers, but imagined fears, and especially the projections of those fears into the future. To the degree that those fears have a place in your life, you neither believe I am good not know deep in your heart that I love you. You sing about it; you talk about it, but you don't know it."

"The darkness hides the true size of fears and lies and regrets, Jesus explained. The truth is they are more shadow than reality, so they seem bigger in the dark. When the light shines into the places they live inside you, you start to see them for what they are."

"An awful lot of what is done in my name has nothing to do with me and is often, even if unintentional, very contrary to my purposes."

"It's extremely hard to rescue someone unless they are willing to trust you."

"Let me show you. Just keep giving me the little bit you have, and together we'll watch it grow."

"But I always liked Jesus better than you. He seemed so gracious and you seemed so........mean."

"Lies are one of the easiest places for survivors to run. It gives you a sense of safety, a place where you only have to depend on yourself. But it's a dark place, isn't it?"

"Give a man an inch and he thinks he's a ruler."

-God