“It is sometimes given to us, this lovely emptiness, and then the Holy Spirit can fill it . . . .” Madeleine L’Engle
. . . and it happens, too,
when words upon the printed page
fall into place,
and fit the moment and the heart
and, by undivided Grace,
what lies within,
what lies without,
converges into deepest sight.
In this depth
and breadth and height,
the outworn self evaporates.
Its hidden fears
and petty hatreds all abate.
For across that lovely emptiness,
the Voice behind all voices sings,
beckons us, and flings
His joyful laughter up
against the gates of Paradise
and, for a moment,
swings them wide once more.
You have a decision to make: double or nothing.
For this week only, a generous supporter has offered to fully match all new and increased donations to First Things up to $60,000.
In other words, your gift of $50 unlocks $100 for First Things, your gift of $100 unlocks $200, and so on, up to a total of $120,000. But if you don’t give, nothing.
So what will it be, dear reader: double, or nothing?
Make your year-end gift go twice as far for First Things by giving now.
