The war is over.

Last week Michael & I went to the first (of 7) session of a course facilitated by Josh & Leah at our church (Kilcona Park Alliance) called Christianity Explored. It goes over the basics of Christianity using the book of Mark.

During the first video there was one specific line that really stuck out to me - I'm paraphrasing from memory but basically it was: calling the gospel "good news" doesn't do it justice. The news of the gospel should be as incredible as hearing the news that "war is over".

This was eye opening for me as I realized that so often I don't treat the gospel of Jesus (or the bible in general) with the urgency or gravity that it deserves.

I shared this thought with a few people since then and one said that the metaphor of war wasn't really something that was relatable to her (which makes sense since we live in Canada and we only hear about war, we don't experience it first hand.) so then I spent more time thinking about why this specific line had stuck out to me. Was it just that I get emotional over things said poetically (which I will admit has been my issue before, I can get caught up in the emotions) or what?

Well, I remembered that there was a story told by my grandpa - he dictated his life story to my mom before he died and we all have a copy (something I am very thankful for) so I came home and looked it up and here it is:

Our company was made up of three units, all equal strength and numbers. Alfred, my friend and I belonged to the third unit. The first unit was briefed in the evening and put into action during the night. We did not hear from them again. A day later the second unit got the same insturctions and left at night. The next afternoon we just happened to stand around waiting our call to the briefing when three men from unit two appeared. Without the officer's knowledge, they started to tell us about their experience the night before. When the tanks came out they knew each foxhole location and with a barrage of cannon fire from their guns, they annihilated them one at a time. These three managed to escape somehow. My spirit sank. We knew that now it was our turn, and we would be called in any moment. I determined to do my best but I knew that I would not live to see the sunrise again. I had made my peace but I had not taken God into consideration and realized only years later that he would do a mighty miracle that day.

While we were still talking to the three that had escaped, we were summoned inside and instead of last minute instructions, we were told that this part of Germany had capitulated and the war was over.

Just like in my grandpas story, because of Jesus the eternal war is over.

*if this class sounds interesting to you there is still time to join us! It is laid back and supper is provided. Thursdays at 7 till march 14!