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The Wheel, Part II

So I wrote in that last post about Rand and how he's changed. Well, the change was immediate and dramatic. His changed nature is highlighted in the follow-up to the scene with his father.

In the follow up, Rand is amongst his friends and they're all marveling at the change that had taken place. Across the room, Rand sees his father. Rand runs to him, his eyes full of fear, regret, and shame for what he's done, and where he's been. He puts his arms around his father and weeps.

His father lovingly says that he doesn't blame him for doing what had to be done, and says that everyone stumbles on their way to greatness. It doesn't absolve Rand from the responsibility he bears for the mistakes he's made, but his father does not condemn him for them.

What seems to be more important - for everyone - is what they've learned from their past, and how they use that information to guide their future.

And I was reminded of John 3:16-17:

16 ¶For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

 17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

The key word in those verses is "believeth". It's a present progressive verb. We believe. We are believing.

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