The Shack: Bible Study 13

Chapter 15: A Festival of Friends

P209 Mack - He could see that the stars were in motion, not hurriedly but smoothly and with precision, as if there were grand celestial conductors coordinating their movement.

Q: Why are we so fascinated with stars? Where do we see and experience divine order in the Cosmos?

Job 38:31-32 "Can you bind the beautiful Pleiades? Can you loose the cords of Orion? Can you bring forth the constellations in their seasons or lead out the Bear with its cubs?

P210 Mack – he did and gasped. Even in the darkness of the night everything had clarity and shone with halos of light in various hues and shades of color. The forest was itself afire with light and color, yet each tree was distinctly visible, each branch, each leaf.

Q: What do you think of this notion that the author creates about truly seeing creation? Does it inspire you? Why is light so important to our understanding of God’s work in us?

Genesis 1:14-15 And God said, "Let there be lights in the expanse of the sky to separate the day from the night, and let them serve as signs to mark seasons and days and years, and let them be lights in the expanse of the sky to give light on the earth."

James 1:17 Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.

P211 Mack – he examined the rest of his body to find that light and color robed him completely; a clothing of purity that allowed him both freedom and propriety.

They broke into the meadow, an army of children. There were no candles – they themselves were lights. And within their own radiance, each was dressed in distinctive garbs that Mack imagined represented every tribe and tongue.

These were the children of the earth, Papa’s children.

Q: What do you think about this part of the story? Does this picture help us better understand how God relates to all of humanity?

Revelation 7:9 After this I looked and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands.

John 8:12 When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."

Ephesians 5:8 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light

P212 Sarayu – Mackenzie, the pattern of color and light is unique to each person; no two are alike and no pattern is ever the same twice. Here we are able to see each other truly, and part of seeing means that individual personality and emotion is visible in color and light.

P213 They were taller flames, seeming to blow with the wind currents, and were a similar sapphire and aqua blue, with unique bits of other colors embedded in each one.

“Angels,” answered Sarayu before Mack could ask. “Servants and watchers.”

Q: Do you believe in angels? If so, what are their main purposes? Have you experienced their help?

We are not only able to see the uniqueness of one another in color and light, but we are able to respond through the same medium. But this response is very difficult to control, and it is usually not intended to be restrained as this one is attempting. It is most natural to let its expression just be.

You love each person differently because of who they are and the uniqueness that they draw out of you. And the more you know another, the richer the colors of that relationship.

1 John 1:7 But if we walk in the light , as he is in the light , we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.

Q: How do our relationships with one another affect our feelings for God? In what ways can our relationships strengthen our faith?

P214 Sarayu – The one having so much trouble containing himself – that one is your father.”

P215 Mack – he was lost in a wash of ruby and vermillion, magenta, and violet, as the light and color whirled around and embraced him.

Mack – “Daddy, I’m so sorry! Daddy, I love you!” The light of his words seemed to blast the darkness out of his father’s colors, turning them blood red. They exchanged sobbing words of confession and forgiveness, as a love greater than either one healed them

Q: How did you respond to this healing between Mack and his father? What hope does it give you for your own parental relationships?

1 John 2:10 Whoever loves his brother lives in the light , and there is nothing in him to make him stumble.

P216 Mack – As he passed through the ranks of children, he could feel their touches and colors quickly embrace him and fall away. Somehow, he was already known and loved here.

Suddenly to their right, from out of the darkness emerged Jesus, and pandemonium broke out. He was dressed in a simple brilliant white garment and wore on his head a simple gold crown, but he was every inch the king of the universe.

He walked the path that opened before him into the center – the center of all creation, the man who is God and the God who is man. Light and color danced and wove a tapestry of love for him to step on.

Tonight the universe was as it was intended.

Q: How has Jesus reconciled all of creation? In what ways do we experience and revere Him as the Lord of the Universe and King of all Creation?

Revelation 21:23-24 The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light , and the Lamb is its lamp. The nations will walk by its light, and the kings of the earth will bring their splendor into it.

P217 Even these (the animals) Jesus walked among, calling each by name until they and their young turned to make their way back to dens and nests and bedding pastures.

Colossians 1:15-17 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.

Mack – Like a curtain being drawn across his eyes, he was suddenly blind again; his vision returning to normal. He felt a loss and a longing, and even a little sad, until Jesus came alongside and took his hand, squeezing it to let Mack know that everything was as it should be.

1 Corinthians 13:12 Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.

Q: What do you think about this chapter as it relates to the whole story? How has it touched you? Are there people in your life who would be helped by this? How can you be that agent of change, healing, and help?