‘I am the Alpha and the Omega’, says the Lord God, ‘who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.’ Rev1: 8, NIV
The Shack is a compelling book written by a salesman in Oregon for his children. William P. Young completed the book in time for Christmas and had it printed and bound at his local copy shop. Young went on to show the book to a former Pastor Wayne Jacobsen who had a small publishing company. With a miniscule marketing budget, they published the book and began a word of mouth campaign. The book went on to top the New York Times best seller list for 70 weeks.
The Shack was a metaphor for “the house you build out of your own pain”. Mr. Young went on to explain that he had suffered sexual abuse in New Guinea as the child of Canadian missionaries. After an extramarital affair 15 years ago, he said, he spent a decade in therapy, trying to earn back his wife’s and family’s trust. Young wanted to show how he had been healed by forging a new relationship with God.
In The Shack, the main character comes to know that God is so much more than He thought and is present at even the most terrible times. He finds peace in seeing a glimpse of Heaven. Today I want encourage you with part of a vision I had while we were going through a time of immense physical and spiritual pressure….
‘We moved through an archway into a place that made me gasp at both the sight and feel of what I experienced. The room was like an underground cavern enamelled (I think) in the most amazing blues and silvers. In the middle was a pool full of water that playfully reflected light from I know not where onto the walls and ceiling. I could not take my eyes off the pool, it felt so pure, so holy, so solemn in some ways and yet so inviting. ‘This pool is the well of the tears that you and Steve have cried’, said the voice, ‘God sent his angels to gather them all up and bring them here. This is the pool of healing and your tears will allow you and others to be healed.’ I could have stayed in that place forever, it was so peaceful.
It was in this room that I realised that all we have been through has been made beautiful. That God IS holy and, loving and just. That there is dignity and much power in suffering and that all things work to good under His hand.
My guide gently urged me ‘You must never allow yourself to think you have all the answers. You must live in these principals – sacrificial love, and listening to God’s voice. You can do only this by being with Him and being in His word. Learning to abide.’
Later we were at the top of a mountain. There was a young man who seemed to be dressed in silver at my side now. I recognised Him as my guide yet could only make out His outline. ‘Who are you?’ I asked finally. ‘I am the Holy Spirit, you want to get to know me better, this has been the beginning.’ He replied. ‘Are you always like this? I asked referring to His physical appearance. ‘Not at all’, He said and showed me how he could be like a huge thunderstorm or a rolling wave or a single drop of rain on a flower.
‘Let the adventures begin.’ I said. And they will, for all of us. Praise be to God for His amazing grace and His sacrificial love.’
If you would like to submit a guest blog on this or any other subject close to your heart, please send to claire@clairevorster.com. We’d love to hear from you.
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Claire thank you for writing and sharing this. It feeds my spirit to have these pictures of the HOly Spirit as a guide to us in manifold layers as opposed to straight lines. Keep on with your words of light my friend!
Have a light filled day darling xxC
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Hey thanks for the blog.