Day 35 – Happy Endings

Day 35 – I went to the movie, Dear John, with my girls tonight. I did have the privilege of reading this book beforehand and as usual, the movie did not stay true to the book. If you haven't read the book or haven't seen the movie, perhaps I should caution you as you read this only because I don't want to spoil your read or view.

In the book, the ending is not your typical love story ending. Actually, Sparks ends the book with the two apart and the one choosing to let the other one go as a deep act of love for her. Most books would end with an embrace and somehow them getting back together. Sadly, the movie did just that. The whole point of the book was to love someone beyond yourself and allow them to be happy even if it wasn't with you.
I did my mile earlier today and wasn't clear on what I was to write but after seeing the movie, the water became less murky. I began thinking about how life isn't a series of happy endings.

We have such a narrow perspective of the world in general. I know that when certain people will pray for healing for someone and then the person dies, they will often get angry with God. That is only looking at it from a human perspective. Sometimes healing comes on the other side. The point is, we don't always see what God has in store and we cannot begin to imagine what the happy ending will be like in our future.

Not everyone likes a sad ending or an ending that we do not understand. So how do we handle it when it happens in real life?

1. We should trust God and know that he did not bring evil upon us. James 1:13-15 says:  ¹³When tempted, no one should say, "God is tempting me." For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; ¹⁴but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. ¹⁵Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.
2. God will give you what you need to deal with the difficulties. Philippians 4:19 says: ¹⁹And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.
3. 
   
   Keep your eyes fixed on getting to our new home where there are no tragedies and sadness. Revelations 21:1-5 says:
    ¹Then 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. ²I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. ³And 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. ⁴He 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."
    ⁵He 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."
4. 
   
   Reach out when you are struggling and suffering because it is in those times that God can use you the most. 2 Corinthians 12:9 says: ⁹But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me.
5. 
   
   Keep focused on the promise and the ONE who delivered you. 1 Peter 1:8-9
   ⁸Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, ⁹for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.
   
    
   1 John 3:2 ²Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when he appears,^[a]we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is.
   
   
   
   

While not ever ending is a happy one, ours will be one day. We do not begin to comprehend the riches and happiness that awaits us.