And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. - John 14:3 ESV
For most 90s kids, The Princess Bride is a beloved classic. This 1987 fairytale movie describes a beautiful young woman named Buttercup and her one true love, Westley. The movie teems with adventure, love, danger, friendship and revenge. My favorite scene is when Buttercup and Westly reunite after five long years and she finally recognizes who he is.
I should warn, if you have not seen this movie, there are spoilers.
After he accuses her of being unfaithful, Buttercup reaches peak frustration with the masked stranger she had been traveling with. Considering her beloved Westley was presumed dead, this thoughtless slight reached a deep grief lying beneath.
She pushes the masked man off a steep hill, wishing him to fall dead. As he tumbles, he calls out the cherished words, “As - you - wish”. Immediately Buttercup recognizes the arrogant masked man as her Westley. She throws herself down the hill after him where he embraces her in his arms asking,
“Can you move at all?”
“Move? You're alive, if you want I can fly!”
"I told you I would always come for you, why didn't you wait for me?"
“Well, you were dead."
"Death cannot stop true love, all it can do is delay it for a while."
"I will never doubt again"
" There will never be a need"
What a beautiful notion. Death cannot stop true love, only delay it. I wish I could tell you that Westley and Buttercup ran off into the sunset in this scene and had nothing more come between them. Unfortunately, that is not the case. They are separated once more and face unrelenting danger and deceit before they take hold of their happy ending.
Once again separated from true love, Buttercup is riddled with anguish and longing. From this point forward, the only source of hope left is Westley’s promise he would always come for her. Buttercup declares her confident hope, clinging to the resilience of their love as she waits patiently. I find myself relating profoundly to Buttercup. I too, am waiting for my Love to rescue me.
For here we have no lasting city, but we seek the city that is to come. Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name. - Hebrews 13:14-15 ESV
This Earth is not our home. The moment we gave our lives to Christ, this world began to change color, unveiling the truth of the darkness that rules it. The heart of man displays ruthless, self-seeking, arrogant and deceitful tendencies. Sickness and death run rampant and we are helpless to control the outcome. Everyone, in some capacity, has fallen prey to pain and suffering. No amount of money, success, or popularity will quench the distress of this life.
But God.
Christ alone pierces through the darkness with the hope of His salvation. Like the gallant knight he is, He overcame this world and promised He would return for us. He provided help for now and hope for what is to come.
This hope is a salve for the soul, restoring and strengthening us to endure this broken world. He is the one we hold to. The God we have come to know and love has not changed. Amid Anguish, God is still good, faithful and sovereign over all. Despite how deep our valley may be, we can trust in His plan of restoration.
I am coming soon. Hold fast what you have, so that no one may seize your crown. - Revelation 3:11 ESV
The Christian life is not pain-free. If it were, Christ would not ask us to endure, but we do not suffer in vain. Our genuine faith is a witness to the Glory of the Lord. In times of trouble, let us make Christ our rock, holding fast to the one who is solid, immovable, and trustworthy.
Let us declare Him the savior boldly! We can stand firm with the knowledge that our Beloved promised us He would come soon. As we wait for the day of His return, may our hope be a lamp that sheds light on a world that desperately needs it.
Remember to prioritize firsthand Bible reading every day, only the Word has the power to transform. "All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work."2 Timothy 3:16-17 ESV