Moonshine & Sweet Tarts

How Do We Hold The Tension…

…that separates Heaven from Earth?

There seems to be a gap… where all the “unanswered” prayers go to die. And where unmet needs grow into resentments -- because if God really cared about me, that wouldn't have happened. This is a lonely and desolate destination.

When we enter this space, we’ve chosen to act alone - outside of God’s favor. We do not fully rely on His sovereignty (especially with this one little item we were trying to resolve on the sly…)

Sometimes, we are suspended between two equally-true realities. On one hand, someone may be by definition an addict… She finds her drug of choice to be irresistible. Yet, she is working a program, and has gained the skill to “rely” upon God or her higher power. And this is an awesome system; until for whatever reason, it isn’t anymore.

Jesus knows all about being suspended. He was nailed to a cross and hung up to die; ultimately, of suffocation. And upon his last breath, Jesus spanned the Gap between Heaven and Earth…removing all separation between the Good Father and his kids.

And as amazing as that is, our human hearts still ache, and we still feel alone. Our humanity, if nothing else, keeps us reliably broken - and reliably needing a Savior! Ultimately, we will inherit the Kingdom of Heaven, but first, we’ve come to this place- for a sanctification ritual of sorts- definitely not our call. But clearly, we are physically separated from our home…and that’s it. That’s the Gap.

And I’m here to say, “I will stand in that Gap with you - when life hurts too much to continue. I know those feelings. I’ve stood in the Gap before. I can introduce you to someone who can help.”

And honestly, in my experience, that’s enough. It’s enough – to have another individual unite in our sadness, unite in our brokenness, and unite in our insufficiency. This is by Design. God created us to dwell relationally. God created us for Love. God created us for Connection.

Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 ESV says “Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up! Again, if two lie together, they keep warm, but how can one keep warm alone?”


ELI’S EDITORIAL

During the days between the crucifixion and Jesus’ rising from the dead, the apostles stayed in the upper room. Many describe them as being afraid and as hiding, but don’t lose sight of the fact that they went through their days of uncertainty TOGETHER! That is, except for Judas. He tried to fix his problems by himself, and it ended tragically. Right now, we find ourselves in a similar situation- in the days between Jesus’ return to Heaven and His glorious second coming. We should follow the example of the apostles, at least to the extent that they went through it together.

The folly of going it alone: If you’re a pet owner, and you live in Switzerland, you know that it is illegal there to own only one hamster, goldfish, or parakeet. Science has shown that they are social animals, and it is in their opinion morally wrong to force one to live in isolation. People are social creatures as well, yet we isolate. When we force it upon someone as punishment, we think it’s cruel. So then, why do we continue to self-isolate, when we know we truly need connection?

The danger of going it alone: An early study in addiction showed that a lab rat would choose to tap “the bar” that gave him drugs over the bar that gave him food. It was held up as a demonstration of the power of addictive chemicals. A later study repeated the set-up, but with one important change - a second lab rat in the cage. Neither rat became hooked on the drug. This study is a demonstration of the power of socializing.

The impossibility of going it alone: Trauma manifests problematically in a variety of ways. Self-isolation is not uncommon, and is a huge hindrance to healing. Often, individuals who have been abused carry tremendous shame. They can barely look you in the eye. Yet ironically, healing is achieved through community.

“I long to see you so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to make you strong— that is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith.”
Romans 1: 11-12 NIV