“As our desires transform from our childhood to our adulthood, so too consolation develops and deepens in our maturation. No longer grounded in our passion but with more deeply fueled affection, we can see what the Lord was doing in the desert, and this helps fund a more abiding praise.”- Kyle Strobel and John Coe
“Now the law came in to increase trespass, but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more.”- Romans 5:20 (ESV)
As Kyle Strobel and John Coe move on in Chapter 7 of When God Seems Distant, they caution that it may feel like the right thing to say when you admit your sinfulness. However, the authors counsel, we can admit our sinfulness without attending to the truth of our sin.
In addition, Kyle and John stress, the Lord wants to show us that where sin abounds, grace abounds all the more. But that path, they note, requires that we confront how much sin really abound in us. Even in our good works.
Yet, the authors observe, as with all our relationships, we fear that difficult truths carry with them the potential to destroy the relationship. But, often revealing the truth turns into the catalyst for growth. Above all, this also hold true for our like in the Lord.
Also, Kyle and John caution, this new season of consolation also awakens another temptation. Hence, we find ourselves tempted to think we’ve deciphered the hidden formula for the Christian life.
Furthermore, we believe we’ve learned all we need to know to follow the Lord more deeply. But then, the authors note, a second darkness emerges. Most significantly, this causes us to feel more disoriented than simply losing consolation. Now we feel lost and abandoned. Spiritual desertion, the dark night of the soul.
In the next blog, Kyle and John discuss the goal of this second season of darkness.
Today’s question: What Bible verses draw you to a more abiding praise? Please share.
Tomorrow’s blog: “Internalized equations in our souls”