For we will surely die and become like water spilled on the ground, which cannot be gathered up again. Yet God does not take away a life; but He devises means, so that His banished ones are not expelled from Him.
2 Samuel 14:14
On Christmas day, my family and I saw Tangled, Disney's newest cartoon. I often heard the story of Rapunzel as a child, but this rendition stirred in me thoughts of the Kingdom, and made me laugh (What a combo, right?). When Rapunzel is first born, the king and queen lit floating lanterns in celebration of her life. As you may remember, the fairytale takes a drastic turn downhill, and the princess is kidnapped by an evil old woman. After she was kidnapped, the king and queen light floating lanterns each year on her birthday for 18 years - to show her the way back home and to remember her. Even in a cartoon, the image was breathtaking as the entire kingdom followed the king and queen's lead, lighting floating lanterns that soared across the night sky. Their hope was to show Rapunzel the light, the way to return to those who truly loved her. Immediately, I thought of brothers and sisters who have fallen away. I want to be that consistent, that patient, that humble, that willing to love them enough - love the Bride enough - to show them the way back over weeks, months, and even years. I get the privilege of displaying grace. My desire is to be one to light the lanterns, showing them the way back home and wait for them with open arms, as our Father does for us every day.
Someday, I'll need to be able to see that light so that I can find my way home. I am pained at the thought of my frailty and my vulnerability in one day falling away. I am sure it will happen many times between now and heaven. I pray there will be brothers and sisters waiting at the source with open arms and forgiving hearts. What a splendid picture of the Bride!
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