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I’m glad God is so patient. He puts up with a lot from the Old Testament people. He certainly puts up with a lot from me as well. There are times in my life I wish I could go back to, knowing what I know now. My faith life has matured over the years and I regret that it wasn’t as strong when I was younger as it is now. Some of it comes naturally from age and experience but some of what happened in the past was just plain ignorance. If God wasn’t patient, things would have possibly ended differently.
But He is patient and He is a God of redemption. He gives us time and opportunity to grow. He loves us and wants us to be with Him in Heaven. He is also fair and just, and Jesus warns us that we must repent or perish.
I’ve reflected on what Heaven may be like, and the idea of being perfectly happy with God for a never ending time is exciting, even if my brain cannot understand what eternity means. I’m afraid to reflect on hell and what complete separation from God would be like. Part of me thinks I should sit with this, but it terrifies me to imagine it. Even when I was furthest from Him, I always knew He was there. Existing without Him would be worse than the worst nightmare.
God loves us so much that He gives us multiple chances. He patiently waits for us as the vinedresser does. My study Bible says the fig tree stands for Old Covenant Israel, which means the vine dresser is Jesus, tending and feeding the tree, offering it another chance at bearing fruit. He does the same with us. He is a good God.
Me alegra que Dios sea tan paciente. Él soportó mucho por parte del pueblo del Antiguo Testamento. Ciertamente, también soporta mucho de mí. Hay momentos de mi vida a los que desearía poder volver, sabiendo lo que sé ahora. Mi vida de fe ha madurado con los años y lamento que no fuera tan fuerte cuando era joven como lo es ahora. En parte, esto surge naturalmente con la edad y la experiencia, pero algunos sucesos del pasado se debieron simplemente a la ignorancia. Si Dios no fuera paciente, las cosas posiblemente habrían terminado de otra manera.
Pero Él es paciente y es un Dios de redención. Nos da tiempo y oportunidades para crecer. Nos ama y quiere que estemos con Él en el cielo. También es justo y recto, y Jesús nos advierte que debemos arrepentirnos o perecer.
He reflexionado sobre cómo será el cielo, y la idea de ser perfectamente feliz con Dios por toda la eternidad resulta emocionante, aunque mi mente no logre comprender lo que significa la eternidad. Me da miedo reflexionar sobre el infierno y sobre cómo sería una separación total de Dios. Una parte de mí piensa que debería meditar en esto, pero me aterra imaginarlo. Incluso cuando estuve más lejos de Él, siempre supe que estaba allí. Existir sin Él sería peor que la peor de las pesadillas.
Dios nos ama tanto que nos da múltiples oportunidades. Nos espera pacientemente, tal como lo hace el viñador. Mi Biblia de estudio dice que la higuera representa al Israel de la Antigua Alianza; lo cual significa que el viñador es Jesús, quien cuida y nutre el árbol, ofreciéndole otra oportunidad para dar fruto. Él hace lo mismo con nosotros. Es un Dios bueno.
Merridith Frediani loves words and is delighted by good sentences. She also loves Lake Michigan, dahlias, the first sip of hot coffee in the morning, millennials, and playing Sheepshead with her husband and three kids. She writes for Catholic Mom, Diocesan.com, and her local Catholic Herald. Her first book Draw Close to Jesus: A Woman’s Guide to Adoration is available at Our Sunday Visitor and Amazon. You can learn more at merridithfrediani.com.
Feature Image Credit: Duane Mendes, unsplash.com/photos/brown-wooden-framed-white-and-black-happy-birthday-greeting-card-M5OpeuHep1E
The views and opinions expressed in the Inspiration Daily blog are solely those of the original authors and contributors. These views and opinions do not necessarily represent those of Diocesan, the Diocesan staff, or other contributors to this blog.
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