Dear friends, you cannot grow tired of hearing the truth about your world, your lives, your loves. And you cannot quit hearing the love that goes before, beyond, behind, under, and around your loves, that makes them possible and makes it possible for them to be real loves–for you to be partakers in the divine.
Because it is not possible for you to succeed by denying this reality, in either direction.
I have just been reading the news accounts of a friend, a friend of many of my friends, a friend of my wife’s and mine, from a ways back, who has been mauled by that rogue lion. A friend who’s going to need a lot of help before he’s ever going home, a friend who many will not want to help, now. Who may not be able to “deserve” help, now.
And so I’m going to pray, and go to bed.
And you must not forget these words:
Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that in due time he may exalt you. Cast all your anxieties on him, for he cares about you. Be sober, be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking some one to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same experience of suffering is required of your brotherhood throughout the world. And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, establish, and strengthen you. To him be the dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
(source: 1 Peter 5 RSVCE)
[“and when you are converted, strengthen your brethren”]
