There’s a core theme at the heart of A Scattering of Light: how can we hold onto hope and trust in a good God with good plans for us when our dreams don’t come true?
As I shared in Part 1 of this series, not long after I began writing A Scattering of Light, we (the Bentons) experienced the death (or at least the years-long delay) of a dream. During the next few years I found encouragement, comfort, and perspective from many sources, primary among them two books. I shared about New Morning Mercies in Part 2 of this series. Today I want to share with you the second book…
Heaven by Randy Alcorn
Heaven is one big, vivid, and delightfully exhaustive book that explores what the Bible has to say about our Forever Home, Heaven, which will ultimately be set on the New Earth. I can’t possibly give a synopsis of all this book entails, or convey to you the many ways it has fired my anticipation for all God has promised those who come to faith in Jesus for forgiveness of sin and restoration to relationship with the Father. Instead I’m focusing on one tiny portion of this book that particularly encouraged me and ultimately informed the spiritual themes of A Scattering of Light.
The following quote is taken from Section 10, Chapter 37 of the book:
Babette’s Feast
In the movie Babette’s Feast, through the misfortunes of war Babette was forced to leave Paris, where she’d been an exquisite gourmet cook. She ended up as a maid for two women who led a small group of austere believers who frowned on such worldly things as good cooking. Babette comes into a large sum of money and spends it all on a single party given for the elderly sisters she’s come to love. It’s a picture of God’s extravagant grace. Babette realizes she’ll never again be able to afford to give such a gift or prepare such a meal. Touched by Babette’s generosity, Phillipa–herself a gifted singer who had little opportunity to develop her gift–consoles her: “Babette, this is not the end; I’m certain it’s not. In Paradise you will be the great artist God meant you to be! . . . Oh, how you will delight the angels!”
For those who know God, this sentiment is biblical. He’s a God who redeems lost opportunities–especially those lost through our faithful service. I believe that once the Curse is lifted and death is forever reversed, we may live out many of the “could have beens” taken from us on this old Earth.
The dreams we’ll dream!
Even if our dreams don’t come true in this lifetime, then take comfort in knowing this brief span of years isn’t our only chance to see and do and learn and become. We have forever on a resurrected Earth, in resurrected bodies, to pursue those things that delight us and glorify God. Without the sin and Curse that taints the best of dreams-come-true now.
I hope you’ll get a copy of Randy Alcorn’s Heaven and read it for yourself. I hope your vision of Heaven and the New Earth explode with the wonder, joy, adventure, glory, and goodness that God has in store for His children who choose Him on this present Earth. And I think you’ll sense the spirit of A Scattering of Light too, if you do.
Now Available for Preorder
If you plan to purchase a copy of A Scattering of Light, please consider preordering. It’s a huge help for a book and its author because it lets those pesky algorithms know that more readers should hear about our books. For those who are able to preorder an ebook, print, or audio copy, I thank you!
