Puddleglum's Reply

We are told that we should keep our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfector of our faith; and that this will help us not to lose heart. We are also told that we have died with Christ, and that when he appears we will also appear with him, and that our life is now hidden with him. He is the key to meaning. Because all of life is in him. And only in Him. OUr life flows from Him; He is the vine and we are the branches; apart from Him we can do nothing. So we never step away from Him into some other meaning; as Francis Schaeffer said, God is the farthest screen back. As the author of ecclesiastes figured out: this is the whole duty of man, to fear God and keep His commandments. We don;t go beyond God to something else: he is the end of the journey. And so with steadfast hearts we know Him and now live in His world to accomplish the goals He has for us: loving Him and other people. And whilst we may think we will miss out on something better, how can there be any better than Him? He is the creator of all there is, he is the source of all joy, beauty, goodness, hope, love, and creativity. Lord, keep my eyes on you!