November 11, 2008 commemorated another observance of a post-World War I Leuven, Belgium in Western Europe. Posted on the reconstructed buildings were huge prints of the former destruction of war. Ruin and rubble of human lives were found everywhere. The darkness and warfare of the human heart were evident all about the city. It cannot but affect the psyche of a land overrrun with more than 30 wars in its long history.Everthing is better now, right. Well, not if one looked at the sadness in the faces and the often cries of despair evident in the eyes of so many people. Yes, food and drink are plentiful and the outward edifice of lives rebuilt stand. The inner warfare for the souls of so many, however, still rage and the spiritual devastation of those caught in the vollies of the power struggles of darkness leave internal pictures of ruin no less severe than the ones portrayed on this day of 'weapons stilling.' Scripture promises an end to this war as well. My wonderment however is: "who will survive and a how will the message of liberation be brought?" Beyond these are the personal questions and the wondering if the the spiritual ruin from the warfare in our own psyche is recognizable from the edifice of outward beautifications.
Pax et bonum....jerome
3 comments:
Do you see evidence people are "bringing" the message of hope there? Your church there seemed to be one. Is there much of a presence?
Why yes there is ...the spark of God is present in unexpected places, yet, that is the problem...the expected places are few and far between.
Hieronymus,
There was a good sermon by a friend of mine called "you earn the face that you wear". You can find it on www.gracepointfellowship.org. I believe that the inner ruin and despair does show on the outside. You may enjoy that sermon.
I pray that your ministry there is a light to those in despair and the energy and excitement that you use to bring the Gospel to those that will hear is continued on after you leave. I trust that will be the case - the Lord is good.
I know that you will point them to God's word and trust that for those who are open to a spiritual relationship with God, the Word will be a lamp unto their feet and a light unto their path. Pray for those who are blinded to have that blindness lifted and their vision restored.
By the way, speaking of past blindness and proof of a miricle - Joy prayed for your any your ministry in Europe last Saturday. That wouldn't have happened 20 years ago.
Blessings and looking forward to our fellowship soon.
Rob
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