This is the first of three messages which build upon one another and shall culminate in a peak of clarity—hopes the writer—and an enduring optimism about the goodness of why we are here.

bliss: perfect happiness; great joy

God has created all human souls such that they are free to choose Him, or free to not. It is an extravagant gift, this freedom to decide, and it is at the heart of what makes us human (and not AI robots). To those who use this gift of free will to say “God, I want to turn my will back to you, to transfer my trust to Jesus who died for me and paid for my sins,” that’s the signal—for God has been waiting for that very moment, don’t you know? “The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance” (2 Pet 3:9)—that’s the signal when God says “You are mine! You are mine! You belong to me!” And God’s Spirit comes to live inside of you (and me) at that moment, to seal us for eternity with Him, to begin to transform us into everything good that we could ever hope to be. Thus begins a great journey of bliss, begun in the heart of a God who loves us so much that He gives us the choice to share in that love for all eternity.

Next time, we will reflect on how to experience such bliss in everyday life. 

Meantime, I hope this encourages you today.

Kevin Murray
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