THE JOURNEY OF REASON

We had to subject our kitty-cat (Tidbit) to many painful experiences—multiple injections and invasive surgery, after which we had to force medications, protective clothing, and confinement upon our confused kitty.

She was unable to understand that we had subjected her to fear, pain, and confusion for her own good, but would she still love and trust us? How could she after her series of traumatic events!

Our Lord seems to have this same problem with us. There exists a great chasm between what He has promised us and the present painful reality of our lives. His Word explains that we need patience as we undergo His spiritual surgery, but we often fail to understand how our pain is necessary preparation for eternity:

•    …Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison. (2 Corinthians 4:16-17)

However, we fail to see this, and trust doesn’t come as easily to us as it does to kitty. We quickly tire of waiting and despair. We demand to understand the connection between our present pain and the promised glories. Some despair of this arduous journey and choose to seek their glory here.

Meanwhile, others despair of a worldly hope. Tidbit probably “knows” that she has it better with us than to jump-ship. Yes, she tries to escape into the alluring outside, but she will return. Her instinctive reason tells her to. Perhaps our present desires tend to push aside reason.