When I was in seminary I was introduced to the work and legacy of Christian mystics. At first I thought this sounded like a marketing term someone made up to sell more books. Was this voodoo and magic parading as theology? As I dove in and learned more about the people, I began to appreciate their personal stories of meeting Jesus, the sacrifice and hardships they endured to follow him, and the invitation to experience intimacy their work provides.
One of the most famous Christian mystics is Julian of Norwich. Julian is known for her 16 visions that she recorded in Revelations of Divine Love. From Norfolk, England, she is credited with the first book written by a woman in the English language. C.S. Lewis quoted her in a letter he wrote to his good friend Owen Barfied in 1940. Lewis tells Barfield, “‘All shall be well, and all shall be well, and all manner of thing shall be well.’ — This is from Lady Julian of Norwich whom I have been reading lately ….”
Tip 74: All Shall Be Well.
What does this Christian mystic Julian mean and what does it have to do with your 90-Day Goal? Julian shares a vision in which she shares with Jesus the ache in her heart around the pain caused by sin in our lives. Jesus lovingly responds in a way that is warm and inviting. He assures her that while sin is necessary it is under his dominion. While we as people don’t understand and can’t appreciate the why of sin and pain, Jesus will make all things well.
At this stage of your 90-Day Goal you may be feeling the pain. New pain may be in your story that you are having to deal with that you did not anticipate. We all wrestle with the reality of pain and disappointment. Whatever challenge or obstacle you are facing in your life design right now, Julian wants to comfort you with the revelation that she received from Jesus that All Shall Be Well.
Jesus knows the end of the story, he is the victory, and he is present in our pain as someone who has holes in his hands.
Whatever your experience is today, a high point or a hard time, the beauty that Julian points to is that Jesus understands completely and makes all things well.
Please send me your questions, challenges, and suggestions as we continue in the 90-Day Goal Together. I look forward to hearing from you and sharing the journey with you.
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