When you get sick, one of the first questions you ask the doctor is “when will I will be better?”

After a tragedy occurs, there is a point in which restitution is expected, a point at which an “end” is reached: the check arrives, the new house is moved into, the perpetrator goes to jail.

This looking to an end shows it’s in our nature to desire closure.

We all want a happy ending. But this broken world has proven time after time that we might not get a happy ending- and we don’t like that!

Even as Christians, we tend to dismiss the idea of leaving loose ends, never receiving that apology or forgiveness, or accepting that some actions will never be made right.

In a way, that’s wrong. In another way, it’s very right.

God doesn't promise happy endings in (this) lifetime.
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God never says we’ll get our desired explanations for why an illness is both chronic and untreatable, or why a crime goes unsolved. Or why the wicked prosper. Or why the steadfast suffer needlessly. Or why hurricanes wipe out whole countries.

But we’re still to have faith.

“These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised” Hebrews 11:39

Moses died without entering the promised land. Isaiah died without watching the Savior who he so often spoke of. There were many others who didn’t meet happy endings – like the disciples, who were martyred!

Yet like these heroes of the faith, you and I can face the many unclosed doors, loose threads, and “never-seem-to-ends” of life by faith.

We can place our hope in the one “happily ever after” that we can count on: Christ’s.

We can place our hope in the one “happily ever after” that we can count on: Christ’s.
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That’s where we get it right when we remind those hurting, suffering, and struggling with closure that it will come and it will be okay. Maybe not now. Possibly (in some cases probably) not even on this earth. But looking toward the “the end” of eternity, we can humbly live out Psalm 131:

“My heart is not proud, Lord,
my eyes are not haughty;
I do not concern myself with great matters
or things too wonderful for me.

But I have calmed and quieted myself,
I am like a weaned child with its mother;
like a weaned child I am content.

Israel, put your hope in the Lord
both now and forevermore.”

Humbly, without closure, we can accept that we don’t need a resolution to live by faith. We can recognize that some things are bigger than we can understand –and that includes the “how” and “when” of God working all things wonderfully for good.

Our hope isn’t in a chance of circumstance, an answer, or any other “ending.”

“Have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, where our forerunner, Jesus, has entered on our behalf” Hebrews 6:19-20

Our hope can be in the Lord now –even without closure- and in the forevermore –in which all is made right.

{A version of this post was previously published here}

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Did you learn to write using the sandwich strategy?

Although I’m sure Saul of Tarsus didn’t know this strategy, he did follow the pattern in the famous passage found in Philippians 3:12-14:

Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

In his introduction and conclusion, Paul gives us a thesis. In between, we find supporting points. This particular word-sandwich is meaty substance for faith-living. The wisdom Paul packs into this passage is a substantial feast for us! Especially as we set goals and make resolutions.

For “Wich”

“Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.”

Paul had a clear purpose for all that he did, and he derived that purpose from Christ. In fact, by striving to take hold of the very thing Jesus chose him for, Paul makes it clear that God has chosen you and I for a purpose too.

Jesus took hold of us for a reason, and that should be our reason for being.

The Not Yet

“Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it.”

We’ve got work to do to God’s glory every day we’re alive. As we set out to accomplish His purposes, we need to know that there’s going to be a “next” and “more” asked of us.

As we achieve many goals, the Goal is going to last until we’re with Jesus and perfected in Him.

The Leaving

“But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead.”

Have you ever thought about what Paul left behind to follow Jesus? He had been a high-ranking, well-known man. His reputation, his life work, his community, even (in a sense) his religion, had to be left to strain ahead toward Christ.

We should expect that pursuing God’s purposes will involve leaving and losing, not just gaining.

The Pressing

“I press on toward the goal to win the prize.”

Add the previous verse’s “strain” to this verse’s “press on” and the point is clear.

Reaching a goal requires persistence and perseverance.

For “Wich”

“…for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”

Rounding out the sandwich-style wisdom, we are reminded of what needs to encompass our purposes. All the pressing on, all the leaving behind, all the not-yet of pursuing a goal is for a reason.

Our reason is ultimately Jesus, and our goal-setting is done best with Him as our focus.

May we be full with this wisdom in this season of change-seeking and resolution-keeping!

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