The Shack

I recently finished reading the book entitled “The Shack”. The setting for most of the book was a secluded cabin in the woods where the title character spent a weekend alone with God. This is probably the part of the book that has drawn the most controversy because God appears to this seeker in the form of a black woman. This challenges the more traditional view of God as Father, but as “God” says in the text of the book, “I am neither male nor female”. So, God chose to appear in the form that He felt would best capture the heart of this man trapped in the midst of “the great sadness”. Nestled in a forest of trees alongside a lake, this “shack” became the setting for the healing of a very wounded heart and the opportunity to begin a passionate relationship of trust with God. It was a retreat of sorts from the distorted perception of the present into a clearer view of the future and a release from the pain of the past.
Daydreaming has provided my own private escape when reality becomes too painful. In this fantasy world of my mind’s creation there exists a home situated on a bluff overlooking a pristine beach somewhere along the coastline of California. I am not going to elaborate because I described this retreat in an earlier post entitled (Psalm 14). Suffice it to say that this not so humble abode is where my mind runs to escape from the painful reality of my present. As I thought about it, I began to realize similarities. In MY dream world the secluded cabin by the lake in the woods is actually a secluded beachfront home with panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean. My lake is an ocean. Ironically, the caretaker of my seaside escape is also a sweet black woman She is my anchor….the one that I most trust with my heart knowing that she loves and accepts me unconditionally. She gives me freedom to pursue my dreams, but is there waiting each time that I return needing to be encouraged and loved. Her warm hugs are like security blankets and her words of wisdom always bring clarity amidst the confusion. She has earned my undivided trust because she has walked every step of my life’s journey and has never forsaken me in the darkest of seasons. When all else and everyone else failed me this was my sanctuary of safety. I desperately wanted to, but I really didn’t believe such a “place” existed except as a figment of my imagination. I desperately wanted to, but I really didn’t believe such a “person” existed except as a figment of my imagination.
Maybe without realizing it, this wasn’t a vision that I created to escape the pain of the present. Maybe, just maybe, it was really God tenderly inviting me into His presence for the purpose of healing my very wounded heart of my own great sadness.