«For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known» (l Corinthians 13: 12).
ALTHOUGH A BIRTHDAY LETTER is already on its way,» Dietrich wrote to his fiancée, «l can’t resist writing to you again. In fact, I’d like to write you a birthday letter every day . . .”
The writer was Dietrich Bonhoeffer, pastor, theologian, university professor, and, at that time, Hitler’s prisoner. His fiancée was Maria von Wedemeyer-Weller, his fiancée since January 1943. The birthday letter also thanks Maria for the encouragement that her letters have given him, and to tell her how sorry he is not to be able to tell her those things in person: «For now I will still have to continue to write,» he says, but for how long?»
The truth is, he wouldn’t write for very much longer. On April 9, 1945, Bonhoeffer was hanged by the Nazis at the Flossenburg concentration camp in Germany. He was only thirty-nine years old.
Certainly, a life cut short. But how much inspiration for everyone who came into contact with him, even in prison! In both the prison and concentration camps where he was held, Bonhoeffer ministered to the sick and his fellow inmates by expressing words of encouragement to the anxious and depressed, and sharing with them the gospel of Jesus Christ. It is said that even the guards in charge of monitoring him were greatly impressed by his behavior, which was both selfless and courageous. In fact, it was those same guards who helped get Bonhoeffer’s letters and writings out of prison so that we are able to read them today!
Why did Bonhoeffer have to die so young, in such a violent way, and at the hands of such a cruel regime? Couldn’t God have preserved his life? A few days after his death the concentration camp in Flossenburg was liberated by the Allies . . . A few more days and his life would have been saved. But it didn’t happen that way. Why? Perhaps the answer is in the letter to Maria: there he tells her that God alters our plans, «so that His plans may be fulfilled, the best plans He has for us.”
Perhaps, but there is one thing we do know without the shadow of a doubt: although we now see dimly, one blessed day we will see «face to face»! On that day, «all which has perplexed us in the providences of God will then be made plain, things hard to be understood will then find an explanation; and where our finite minds discovered only confusion and broken purposes, we shall see the most perfect and beautiful harmony. «—Steps to Christ, ch. 12, p. 112. How long before that glorious day, Lord?
Dear God, how I long for the glorious day when all our doubts will be clarified; the day when we will finally see the face of our beloved Savior!
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Taken from: Devotional Readings for Adults 2022
“GREAT IS OUR GOD!”
From: FERNANDO ZABALA
Collaborators: Xiomara Perdomo & Angelica Cuate
