Stuck in the Middle

The whole idea of 'already and not yet' has become more and more real to me as of late.  I am seeing how all the wells on earth are running dry very fast.  I am finally seeing the epidemic that has been here all along.  Though we are already saved, though we are fully bound for glory, I am seeing the painful reality that glory is not here yet.  And until that day comes, I will never be satisfied fully.  Because my heart continually longs for more and more to fill it.  In every facet of life the that which once settled my heart is now numb and needs more the next time.  Just as an addict needs more drug to get the same high, our hearts need more stimuli to feel at rest.  This is a truly dangerous thing, as we will never be filled.  We live in the tension, the middle, the conflict, of the Not Yet.

But, we can't forget about the Already.  My heart is as St. Augustine put it, "restless, till it finds its rest in thee."  Our hearts are indeed restless, but I can't ever forget that there is a well that won't run dry.  There is an ocean that has no bottom, there is a love that is endless.  Jesus Christ marries heaven to earth with himself.  We may not be fully there yet, but we have been given an engagement ring from Jesus.  This ring reminds us of the Wedding to come, of the blessings of the union that is ours even now.

So, while in this middle, restless, vanity, wind chasing world, there is a savior.  We have the 'already' from Jesus life, death, and resurrection.  We have been given the deposit of the Holy Spirit to keep us until that great Feast to come.  We have been given hope.  Paul tells us that Faith, Hope, and Love remains.  Thank Jesus that these remain.  Remain in Him, and you will find faith, hope, and love...even in the middle.