The sign hangs above Will’s bed in the loft he shares with Katie, just above our bed in the humble studio that we are blessed to call home for now.
Meanwhile, peals of laughter bury themselves in the aging buildings surrounding the ark-park. An international game of tag is taking place. The quiet is disturbed. Kids from Korea, Brazil, China, Ireland and the U.S. who don’t care about cultural or even language barriers enjoy freedom, even in the darkness.
As our kids play outside in the evening with the other children of our building, the contrast between children and adults, between community and isolation could not be more stark. The unity they have in Christ and the innocence of youth combine with the tropical breeze creating the perfect storm of love. A heaven more fair one could hardly imagine.
Yet the scriptures do promise so much more.
“Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” -Revelation 21:3-4
When I read the news of the day, that Europe is ablaze with islamist fervor and anti-islamist fervor, or that the U.S. is erupting with racial tensions, I am almost tempted to despair. Though the Bible promises so much, it sometimes feels as though it is all going in the other direction.
Yet there is hope, more than hope. Like some kind of progressive subscription the news comes and keeps coming, closer and closer. The church in China is growing. The church in South Korea is enormous. People are risking everything to go to places like Iran and Afghanistan to preach the gospel. This gospel is being preached to the ends of the earth. There are more and more people being offered the hope that is found only in Jesus.
And little boys are making friends from places all over the world. I know Will likes sleeping under the sign his friend made for him. Somehow it makes me feel like I can sleep a little better tonight too.
[Reset]tled.org 