Those who are married will totally know what I’m talking about. Yesterday, was one of those days, where my wife and I were both just upset with each other. I can’t really remember where it all came from. All the snarling, back-biting, and jumping on each other’s backs was probably an ugly combination and result of intense hunger pains, miscommunications, and an unwillingness to back down on proving ones own point. Its funny how the fullness of ourselves get in the way between us and our loved ones. Needless to say, there was bad air between us as we slept. Neither of us were letting go of the arguments and the hurt. So we fell asleep to hopefully start over afresh tomorrow.
Husbands and wives, you’ll know what I mean when I say that this morning as I woke up, I had one of those “What just happened last night?” moments. It didn’t make sense. I was stupid. What was I trying to prove!? I thought to myself, I have to make this right. I did the thing that I don’t do very often, and should do more, but I walked over, wrapped my arms around her, and said, “I’m sorry sweety about yesterday.”
Fast forward to this morning. I’m texting with Emily over Gmail chat, just as any responsible employee would do while at work, and in the midst of a chat about something else she blurts out, “I could have stayed in your arms forever, I loved how the world just disappeared, and all I wanted was you.” YEAH! Do I have the best wife in the world or WHAT? I do, I know I do!
Sometimes when the light bulb comes on, it really comes on. In that moment, something really clicked for me!! The thing I want in life the most, the thing I desire, is to be restored! RESTORATION!! Bring it on!!
Restored? To what? You have a beautiful wife, you have a job, to what do you want to restore back to. Restoration, as in being restored to a previous point in history, not really, but sort of. If restoration in history, the point in time I have in mind, is the Garden of Eden!
The restoration I’m talking about is the restoring of creation to its original perfect purpose! The restoration of the world that will happen when King Jesus comes back, and fulfills everything. This restoration will be greater than that which was found in the garden. Creation groans for this. I groan for this. Oh to walk with Christ in the cool of the day, to walk and talk with Him. To have perfect fellowship with God almighty once again!
Sometimes I like to bask in the warmth of the sun. But OH to bask in the sufficiency of the presence of God that will FILL the entire earth.
Sometimes I like a good steak. But OH the fellowship of the divine will consume all and every appetite, perfectly!
Sometimes I like hanging out with friends. But OH to fellowship with the world, perfectly, and to have perfect fellowship in the Spirit! No more fights, no more murder, no more rape, no more poverty, no more HIV epidemics…..just pleasure and joy forevermore!!
So the next time you fight with your spouse or whomever, seek out restoration! We were made to be restored. Seek it out among yourselves, die to yourself, and live for others.
This song sings beautifully about how God longs to be restored to us, by Neal Morse, one of my favorites.
Take a walk with me 