Dear Everyone,
I spent some time before and after Easter finishing NT Wright’s book, “Surprised by Hope” and reflecting on the book as whole. I have a couple of observations.
First, he emphasizes the importance of the Christian doctrine of the general bodily resurrection. And as he points out, this is what provides hope and comfort for the future. Death is not the end. The tyrants, the genocidaires, the killers cannot end us. Because physical death is not the end. We shall rise again.
Second, God will redeem the cosmos. His redemptive work will extend to the planets, the animals, the very ground on which we walk. Again, this doctrine provides hope and comfort for the future.
Third, as Wright expresses, our creative works will also last into the future: “What you do in the present – by painting, preaching, singing, sewing, praying, teaching, building hospitals, digging wells, campaigning for justice, writing poems, caring for the needy, loving your neighbour as yourself – will last into God’s future. These activities are not simply ways of making the present life a little less beastly …. They are part of what we may call building for God’s kingdom.”
Consequently, as Wright emphasizes, the work of the Church here and now must be conceived of in these terms – in light of the general resurrection, the redemption of the cosmos, and the building for God’s present and future kingdom.
As I continue my writing and creative endeavours, I am going to keep in mind Wright’s exhortation. I’m going to consider how my writing builds God’s present and future kingdom and how it can do so much, much better. I think all of us can approach our creative endeavours, and our ways of doing good deeds and saying good words in the light of God’s kingdom.
Peace be with you all.
Thank you for reading,
SR
I am honoured to have had all three of my novels appear on the New York Times and USA Today Bestseller lists. I was a Semifinalist for Best Author in the 2011 and 2012 Goodreads Choice Awards. {
Thank you for sharing your beautiful reflections, SR. It is a gift. I absolutely loved the part in which our creative works will last in our futures. That is a lovely thought. For being creative opens the mind and heart, and is freeing in so many ways. Creativity is our way of becoming birds released from their cages. This is a book I will have to re-read and reflect on in the future. I really enjoyed reading “Surprised by Hope” along with you.
Thank you, Kenzie, for reading along with me this Lenten Season.
Peace be with you, SR
Dear SR, I just read your post. Thank you so much for this reflection. Wonderful, inspiring thoughts, goals. Yes, this is our mission to build the kingdom of God, to convey His love, His grace, His hope in every way, to show the real beauty, purity and bring real values to those whom He has placed beside us. And one of the tools for this can be our creativity, which we have been given for this purpose. I do think that the most amazing thing is that we are also growing, getting richer by doing, living so. Your writing reminds me of one of my favourite songs, Kingdom of Love by Amy Grant. I’m so happy and grateful for finding such a talented author and also a great person in you, who also considers these things important. The soul and deep mindset behind your stories was the first thing that appealed to me about your books. I was extremely captivated by that. You are so encouraging and motivating so thank you again. And please don’t stop. Keep sharing your reflections, your thoughts, because by them you are truly building His kingdom, us. God bless you!
Thank you, Monika.
All the best, SR