Inside or Outside?

With him, we are crucified to this world. He didn’t die to make the world like paradise. He died to separate us for paradise, that better Eden.

(This post first appeared at Servants of Grace as part of the Hebrews devotional series.)

Divine Deadheading

Although we reside in the Lord’s garden, the inclination of our still-fleshly lives is to choose our own path for growth. We strive for reproduction of ourselves—more of me! more of me! But God has a way to strengthen and beautify us, drawing forth applause and glory—more of Him! more of Him! And as happens in the cycle of growth, that often involves deadheading and affliction.

Reversal, Redemption, and Renewal

We all love to re-watch our favorite movie scenes, including the suspenseful ones, and we experience all the nervousness and anxiety all over again as if it’s the first time. It’s almost irrational because we are behaving as if we are in the dark about something we actually know quite a bit about. In part, that’s because it doesn’t have anything to do with what we don’t know, but how we are perceiving in the moment what we generally know. It’s also because we know all too well that death is ultimately inescapable, no matter how many times the hero thwarts it in repeat showings.

Grace Sufficient for Little Women

Perhaps one reason this version is fast becoming a favorite among adult women is that director Greta Gerwig’s perspective reflects our own angst and distress over whether we make a difference in this world—or at least in the little spheres we inhabit. Gerwig knew exactly who her audience would be.