ever feel like you're behind in life? recently, i've been reading the Lord of the Rings trilogy. if you haven't done any background reading on J.R.R Tolkien, he seems like a remarkable guy. he was orphaned by age 12 and still managed to graduate from Oxford with honors. he became a professor, husband, and father of 4 children. on top of all that, he managed to write some incredible books, poetry...and LANGUAGES (did i mention that he made up languages??).
looking at a life like his, i can't help but feel that mine is so....small. sure, i go to work and contribute to society. i have wonderful family and friends that i connect with. but what am i actually doing with the time that i have been given? i'm definitely not sitting around writing trilogies or making up elvish languages (not that i should be...b/c i would do an awful job at that!).
all that to say, i recognize that i could make more meaningful choices with my time. the people that we think of as the great contributors to culture--musicians, artists, activists, politicians, and religious leaders, didn't just sit around and wait for opportunity to come knocking on their door. they went out and DID something. they practiced, they wrote, they studied. they engaged in the activities that gave them passion and drive. they knocked on doors, worked late hours, and spread the word about what they were doing. they offered up what they had.
so, how do i follow in their footsteps? well, it starts with movement--making changes, getting creative, and doing SOMETHING. although i don't plan on writing any fantasy novels anytime soon or developing a foreign language for a people group that doesn't exist (sorry if you believe otherwise), i can definitely still create something that will leave an impact.
time is a tickin', so i best get crackin'....
Friday, September 30, 2011
Monday, September 12, 2011
Paul in my Pocket
tonight i was preparing for a Bible study on the first chapter of the book of Galatians. i must admit that i've never done an in-depth study on Galatians before. sure, i've read the book, but i've never really DUG IN. so, tonight (procrastination) i started looking at the historical context and commentaries on the first chapter. (side note, if anyone has any thoughts on the first chapter of Galatians feel free to pass them along before tomorrow night at 7:30 pm. :))
all that to say, i was really struck by one thought. Paul wrote this book with the intent of rebuking the Galatians for getting swept away in false doctrine. certain people had infiltrated their ranks and began teaching that in order to become a Christian they needed to be circumcised and follow all the tenants of Judaism. unfortunately, the Galatians actually believed this teaching and were getting caught up in feeling the need to adhere to Mosaic law. Paul came at this topic passionately and began encouraging the Galatians to get back to the true Gospel--the Gospel of grace that comes through the sacrificial atonement of Christ for our sins.
i read the first chapter feeling convicted. i wasn't convicted that i had attempted to follow all Jewish customs (although i typically don't eat food sacrificed to idols). i wasn't even convicted that i have adhered to false doctrines (although that has definitely happened in my past...i can tell you the story later...). instead, i was convicted over the simple fact that i am not Paul.
in my mind, this galatian false doctrine wasn't a good thing, but it wasn't like some of the other doctrines you see churches believing in the new testament. the galatians weren't engaging in fornication or getting drunk at the Lord's Supper. so, it didn't seem like this doctrine was "bad" in itself. people were trying to "do the right thing." however, Paul didn't become engaged in this argument of good vs bad...he saw the lie for exactly what it was--a method to keep people from a true relationship with Christ. he saw this church getting led astray and stepped in to intervene.
the question i have to ask is, "would i do the same thing?" sure, i get angry at a lot of misperceptions in the world. i even get my feathers ruffled at false doctrines in the Church. i hate it when believers go around believing lies about themselves, God, and the Gospel. BUT would i SAY anything about them? would i first identify the doctrine for what it is, then would i even call out the lie/false teaching/skewed Gospel? would i be so passionate about it that i couldn't help but say something? would i have the hutzpah to actually stand up? i would hope so. yet, have i ever done it before? all i can do is shamefully shake my head...and hope and pray that something changes. so that, perhaps, when push comes to shove, and the time comes when it's needed, i can have the strength to be a little more "Paul-like."
all that to say, i was really struck by one thought. Paul wrote this book with the intent of rebuking the Galatians for getting swept away in false doctrine. certain people had infiltrated their ranks and began teaching that in order to become a Christian they needed to be circumcised and follow all the tenants of Judaism. unfortunately, the Galatians actually believed this teaching and were getting caught up in feeling the need to adhere to Mosaic law. Paul came at this topic passionately and began encouraging the Galatians to get back to the true Gospel--the Gospel of grace that comes through the sacrificial atonement of Christ for our sins.
i read the first chapter feeling convicted. i wasn't convicted that i had attempted to follow all Jewish customs (although i typically don't eat food sacrificed to idols). i wasn't even convicted that i have adhered to false doctrines (although that has definitely happened in my past...i can tell you the story later...). instead, i was convicted over the simple fact that i am not Paul.
in my mind, this galatian false doctrine wasn't a good thing, but it wasn't like some of the other doctrines you see churches believing in the new testament. the galatians weren't engaging in fornication or getting drunk at the Lord's Supper. so, it didn't seem like this doctrine was "bad" in itself. people were trying to "do the right thing." however, Paul didn't become engaged in this argument of good vs bad...he saw the lie for exactly what it was--a method to keep people from a true relationship with Christ. he saw this church getting led astray and stepped in to intervene.
the question i have to ask is, "would i do the same thing?" sure, i get angry at a lot of misperceptions in the world. i even get my feathers ruffled at false doctrines in the Church. i hate it when believers go around believing lies about themselves, God, and the Gospel. BUT would i SAY anything about them? would i first identify the doctrine for what it is, then would i even call out the lie/false teaching/skewed Gospel? would i be so passionate about it that i couldn't help but say something? would i have the hutzpah to actually stand up? i would hope so. yet, have i ever done it before? all i can do is shamefully shake my head...and hope and pray that something changes. so that, perhaps, when push comes to shove, and the time comes when it's needed, i can have the strength to be a little more "Paul-like."
Sunday, August 7, 2011
random thoughts of the day...
maybe it's because i'm an official "adult" now. maybe it's because i've been reading Lord of the Rings. maybe it's because it keeps popping up here and there. or maybe it's simply indigestion.
maybe it's none or all of the above.
seems like the concept of desires and dreams, and refusing to settle for the status quo keeps coming up. perhaps, it's as a result of having more of a routine life. 9-5, Monday through Friday. 2 weeks vacation. the typical American.
maybe it's because i read "Radical" by David Platt. (that book will mess you up.)
9-5 isn't bad. don't get me wrong. it's nice to have structure. it's when the structure becomes the end-all, be-all that things go awry.
the question is, do i still get the "itch?" do i still want to step outside of my home at Bag End? do i sense that there's something "more" out there?
i am a contributor to a larger-functioning kingdom. this kingdom is wild and ever-changing. is my contribution for the advancement of this fiery force? or am i dampening its effects?
i fight the urge to grow complacent and go through the motions. if, for a moment (or several 1,000 moments), i allow myself to indulge in this, i realize that it's not really all that satisfying. there's still a nagging feeling i can't quite get rid of. (thank goodness.) i hope that feeling never goes away. if it does, i am to be pitied, for i have lost my way.
i pray that you get that "itch" too. although it can be uncomfortable and very inconvenient at times, it's what keeps us MOVING. it may require sacrifice (actually, if it's a deep down itch, it probably will), but what's there to gain otherwise? so, relish in the feeling and don't ignore it. if you neglect it long enough, it may eventually disappear. who knows, it may even take a piece of you with it...
so, while there's time, let's open the door and step outside. let's be willing to participate in the journey ahead of us. as Tolkien penned in the Fellowship of the Ring:
"It's a dangerous business, Frodo, going out your door. You step onto the road, and if you don't keep your feet, there's no knowing where you might be swept off to."
may we be swept into places where light penetrates darkness, chains that once bound are broken, and lives one enslaved are renewed and set free. here we go...
maybe it's none or all of the above.
seems like the concept of desires and dreams, and refusing to settle for the status quo keeps coming up. perhaps, it's as a result of having more of a routine life. 9-5, Monday through Friday. 2 weeks vacation. the typical American.
maybe it's because i read "Radical" by David Platt. (that book will mess you up.)
9-5 isn't bad. don't get me wrong. it's nice to have structure. it's when the structure becomes the end-all, be-all that things go awry.
the question is, do i still get the "itch?" do i still want to step outside of my home at Bag End? do i sense that there's something "more" out there?
i am a contributor to a larger-functioning kingdom. this kingdom is wild and ever-changing. is my contribution for the advancement of this fiery force? or am i dampening its effects?
i fight the urge to grow complacent and go through the motions. if, for a moment (or several 1,000 moments), i allow myself to indulge in this, i realize that it's not really all that satisfying. there's still a nagging feeling i can't quite get rid of. (thank goodness.) i hope that feeling never goes away. if it does, i am to be pitied, for i have lost my way.
i pray that you get that "itch" too. although it can be uncomfortable and very inconvenient at times, it's what keeps us MOVING. it may require sacrifice (actually, if it's a deep down itch, it probably will), but what's there to gain otherwise? so, relish in the feeling and don't ignore it. if you neglect it long enough, it may eventually disappear. who knows, it may even take a piece of you with it...
so, while there's time, let's open the door and step outside. let's be willing to participate in the journey ahead of us. as Tolkien penned in the Fellowship of the Ring:
"It's a dangerous business, Frodo, going out your door. You step onto the road, and if you don't keep your feet, there's no knowing where you might be swept off to."
may we be swept into places where light penetrates darkness, chains that once bound are broken, and lives one enslaved are renewed and set free. here we go...
Monday, July 25, 2011
striking the ground
Sorry it's been so long since I've updated! This summer has gotten away from me. I must admit that I am in mourning about the whole thing...I am already dreading the cold winter that will lie ahead. However, until then, there are plenty of 90 degree days full of cookouts, festivals, and fun times ahead!
On to my blog post...
Recently, I have been reading in 2 Kings. Unfortunately, there's not a whole lot that has really jumped off the page at me. At times while I'm reading all the kings start to run together a bit. However, at other times, there have been very clear moments where I've connected with a story and took it to heart. What I am about to share is just one of them. Reading through Israel's struggles and the biographies of her kings is a clear reminder that we're all human and wrestle with sin. We face many of the same issues that they did during that time. If you want some nice entertainment, replace the names of the characters in 2 Kings with Italian mobsters. It reads just like a scene from Godfather...
Well, on to my story, right?? I was reading in 2 Kings 13 about Joash, King of Israel. Now, Joash was an evil king and led Israel astray (as most of them seemingly were). He came to a point in his reign were he felt he was on the verge of defeat. So, doing what most people do when they think they're about to die, he cried out to God. He went to the prophet Elisha and sought help. Elisha told him to take a bow and arrow and shoot it out the window. (Kind of strange, but people have been asked to do weirder things in the Bible...read Jeremiah, for one.) The direction he shot was towards his enemy, symbolizing that he would defeat them. Then, Elisha asked him to take the remaining arrows and strike the ground. Joash responded and struck the ground 3 times. Then, something rather odd happens. Rather than responding positively to Joash, Elisha responds in anger. He tells Joash that he will only defeat his enemy 3 times. Elisha tells him that he should have struck the ground 5 or 6 times b/c then he would have completely defeated them. Instead, Joash has to settle with a minor victory and recognize that his enemy will eventually renew his stronghold against Israel.
This story has always struck me. Maybe because I'm a rule-follower. I tried to put myself in Joash's shoes. Elisha, this man of God in a position of authority tells me to strike the ground. I strike it...maybe even only once. "Hey, I'm just doing what I'm told." I've never been one to get really wrapped up in the moment and go overboard. I can't imagine myself striking and striking and striking til the arrows break or I'm exhausted. So, I respond quietly to Elisha's request, merely striking the ground a time or two. But then I find out that it's not really "following the rules after all." There's a hidden agenda here...God wants to see fervor. Passion. Zeal. A little "over the top-ness." I'm in trouble...
On the other hand, unlike me, Joash was NOT a rule-follower. He did his own thing and didn't obey the voice of God. Sure, he was living "outside the box," but doing so in a way that was unhealthy and destructive to his people. He pursued his own pleasure and led everyone else along his path of destruction with him. What would it have taken for him to exhibit a little abandon when he came to seek God? I'm sure it was not his comfort zone. Sure, he had abandon in other areas of his life, but not when it came to his relationship with God. So, when it came time to strike the ground, he picked the safe number: 3. Not too much. Not too little. But then he found out, that it wasn't quite right...
So, what does that mean for me? Abandon, in the proper respect is not only healthy, but expected. Living with fervor and zest is beneficial...and it not only has implications for my own life, but will ultimately affect those around me. So, when God leads me in a certain direction or asks me to do something for His kingdom (even something as simple as striking the ground), I pray that I can dive in wholeheartedly. May I not stop with simple obedience. May I not choose the "safe" answer. May I respond with enthusiasm and passion as I recognize that my small act may have a much larger impact. Here goes to striking...
On to my blog post...
Recently, I have been reading in 2 Kings. Unfortunately, there's not a whole lot that has really jumped off the page at me. At times while I'm reading all the kings start to run together a bit. However, at other times, there have been very clear moments where I've connected with a story and took it to heart. What I am about to share is just one of them. Reading through Israel's struggles and the biographies of her kings is a clear reminder that we're all human and wrestle with sin. We face many of the same issues that they did during that time. If you want some nice entertainment, replace the names of the characters in 2 Kings with Italian mobsters. It reads just like a scene from Godfather...
Well, on to my story, right?? I was reading in 2 Kings 13 about Joash, King of Israel. Now, Joash was an evil king and led Israel astray (as most of them seemingly were). He came to a point in his reign were he felt he was on the verge of defeat. So, doing what most people do when they think they're about to die, he cried out to God. He went to the prophet Elisha and sought help. Elisha told him to take a bow and arrow and shoot it out the window. (Kind of strange, but people have been asked to do weirder things in the Bible...read Jeremiah, for one.) The direction he shot was towards his enemy, symbolizing that he would defeat them. Then, Elisha asked him to take the remaining arrows and strike the ground. Joash responded and struck the ground 3 times. Then, something rather odd happens. Rather than responding positively to Joash, Elisha responds in anger. He tells Joash that he will only defeat his enemy 3 times. Elisha tells him that he should have struck the ground 5 or 6 times b/c then he would have completely defeated them. Instead, Joash has to settle with a minor victory and recognize that his enemy will eventually renew his stronghold against Israel.
This story has always struck me. Maybe because I'm a rule-follower. I tried to put myself in Joash's shoes. Elisha, this man of God in a position of authority tells me to strike the ground. I strike it...maybe even only once. "Hey, I'm just doing what I'm told." I've never been one to get really wrapped up in the moment and go overboard. I can't imagine myself striking and striking and striking til the arrows break or I'm exhausted. So, I respond quietly to Elisha's request, merely striking the ground a time or two. But then I find out that it's not really "following the rules after all." There's a hidden agenda here...God wants to see fervor. Passion. Zeal. A little "over the top-ness." I'm in trouble...
On the other hand, unlike me, Joash was NOT a rule-follower. He did his own thing and didn't obey the voice of God. Sure, he was living "outside the box," but doing so in a way that was unhealthy and destructive to his people. He pursued his own pleasure and led everyone else along his path of destruction with him. What would it have taken for him to exhibit a little abandon when he came to seek God? I'm sure it was not his comfort zone. Sure, he had abandon in other areas of his life, but not when it came to his relationship with God. So, when it came time to strike the ground, he picked the safe number: 3. Not too much. Not too little. But then he found out, that it wasn't quite right...
So, what does that mean for me? Abandon, in the proper respect is not only healthy, but expected. Living with fervor and zest is beneficial...and it not only has implications for my own life, but will ultimately affect those around me. So, when God leads me in a certain direction or asks me to do something for His kingdom (even something as simple as striking the ground), I pray that I can dive in wholeheartedly. May I not stop with simple obedience. May I not choose the "safe" answer. May I respond with enthusiasm and passion as I recognize that my small act may have a much larger impact. Here goes to striking...
"6Having gifts (faculties, talents, qualities) that differ according to the grace given us, let us use them: [He whose gift is] prophecy, [let him prophesy] according to the proportion of his faith;
7[He whose gift is] practical service, let him give himself to serving; he who teaches, to his teaching;
8He who exhorts (encourages), to his exhortation; he who contributes, let him do it in simplicity and liberality; he who gives aid and superintends, with zeal and singleness of mind; he who does acts of mercy, with genuine cheerfulness and joyful eagerness." Romans 12: 6-8 (Amplified Bible)
Sunday, June 5, 2011
natural vs healthy
My supervisor adopted a little boy from Haiti a little over a year ago. His story is such a miracle. I can't imagine the joy she must feel to have him at home with her after a very long, drawn-out adoption process. Last month, however, they found themselves in a situation that no one expected.
In every parent's nightmare, they have probably dreamed up this scenario. A very young, inquisitive boy reaches into a drawer in the kitchen. Before anyone knew what was going on, he grabs the scissors. Somehow in the short few seconds, there was an accident where the scissors punctured his face and eye. By the time anyone could catch anything, there was blood everywhere and the little guy was laying on the ground.
At the hospital, they hear really awful news--the scissors affected his retina and his eye leaked a lot of fluid. There is a chance for blindness in the eye with the retina attempting to detach. Surgery is performed to "weigh" the retina down and keep it from trying to remove itself. Also, they are informed that the other eye may begin to become "sympathetic" and attempt to lose vision as well. Nothing for certain will be known for several days. And so begins the waiting period...
After lots of prayer, doctors visits, time spent at the hospital, tons of medication and eye drops, double-casts on both arms, extremely limited movement, and a few surgeries...he is doing wonderfully. He now wears glasses and has a very tiny scar on his cheek. Otherwise, the doctors are in amazement that his retina has held in place and his vision is just fine. He can now return to being a little boy again.
However, thinking about all of this as it was going on, there was something that struck me...
I'm totally not a doctor and know very little about the medical field (blood makes me squeamish), but it seems soooo weird to me that the retina had to be forced NOT to detach. Our bodies are created with such natural healing qualities. If we burn our tongues and lose a few taste buds, soon enough we'll have new ones to replace them. If we get a sunburn and our skin begins to peel, the new layer will be exposed and our skin will heal. If we get an illness, the agents in our body do their best to fight it off and return us back to normal. Yet, in this situation, the body seemed to be the enemy--the one rebelling against the healing process.
The doctor had to go in and physically keep the retina from responding in a way that was not most helpful to the eye. On the other hand, the retina was just doing what it was made to do. When there was stress/injury/destruction, it will respond by detaching.
As a person with a background in counseling, I realized that we as humans, do this ALL THE TIME. We respond in ways that are "natural" to us, but aren't always the most "beneficial." For example, personally, when I feel threatened or attacked in a conflict, I will respond just like the retina--I detach. However, that isn't always the most appropriate or helpful response. For healthy conflict to occur, you have to engage and see it through to the end. Ultimately, that is how you can learn and grow from the process.
We see this happen all around us. Push comes to shove. We're placed in awkward situations. We find ourselves uncomfortable, in pain, or injured. What do we do? We respond out of our natural inclinations. We put walls up. We back off. Or we push away. The list goes on. There are so many ways in which we initially feel compelled to act. Yet, we have to ask, "is this what is most healthy in the long run?" It may feel like the right thing to do for the moment, but ultimately, just like the retina, will we be losing something?
Fortunately, in my boss' situation, her little boy is doing wonderfully. God answered a lot of prayers and the intervention has worked. How about for us? What will keep us from hitting those "blind spots" and responding in the ways that we have always done? Will we recognize that "natural" isn't always most "healthy?"
Will we choose to do something different?
Saturday, May 7, 2011
reflections on lent
So, I realized I never actually finalized my thoughts on my whole "Lent" running experience. If I didn't give a re-cap and share what I learned through it all, I feel like it would be anti-climactic. Therefore, here are my concluding thoughts...
-We always under-estimate what we are truly capable of. If you were to tell me at the beginning of my 40 days that I would be able to run 5 miles by the time it was all said and done, I would have never believed you. However, that is exactly what happened. I have seen this process occur time and time again in my life. From writing excessively long research papers to moving to a new city and starting over again to running a full marathon, I have found myself taking actions I didn't believe I would ever possibly be able to do. Thanks be to God for His strength to carry through the tough times of discipline and perseverance!
-You HAVE to push through sometimes. The initial energy you feel at the onset of a big undertaking will often wane. You can't let yourself get bogged down in the lack of "feeling" or motivation. You absolutely have to keep putting one foot in front of the other. I think this comes in to play often in our spiritual walks. Especially in our generation, there is such a disdain for "going through the motions." We want to be motivated by feeling, not obligation. Yet, there are times when we simply have to press forward. In the life of a Christian, there is a need for discipline and regularity because it forces us to continue to move, even when we don't "feel" like it.
-We need to create more "space" in our lives. Running was a time that allowed me to get away. I could think, pray, or just zone out. I listened to music, noticed my surroundings, and could spend time with God. It wasn't always this spiritual emphasis, but there was availability for it to happen. We too often clutter our lives with the material--work, friends, family, and the busyness of life--that we don't leave space for anything else. We need time to get away from the demands of life and just "be."
Overall, I had a very positive Lenten experience this year. It's always nice to place ourselves outside of the usual routine and allow things to get changed up in our lives. Although I would never say that my running experiment was anything symbolic or parallel to Christ's sacrifice in His last 40 days on earth, it definitely was a beneficial instrument in my walk with Him. And as Easter reminds us, it's definitely not over yet! "He who began a good work" in my life is continuing to develop me. So, let the journey continue...
-We always under-estimate what we are truly capable of. If you were to tell me at the beginning of my 40 days that I would be able to run 5 miles by the time it was all said and done, I would have never believed you. However, that is exactly what happened. I have seen this process occur time and time again in my life. From writing excessively long research papers to moving to a new city and starting over again to running a full marathon, I have found myself taking actions I didn't believe I would ever possibly be able to do. Thanks be to God for His strength to carry through the tough times of discipline and perseverance!
-You HAVE to push through sometimes. The initial energy you feel at the onset of a big undertaking will often wane. You can't let yourself get bogged down in the lack of "feeling" or motivation. You absolutely have to keep putting one foot in front of the other. I think this comes in to play often in our spiritual walks. Especially in our generation, there is such a disdain for "going through the motions." We want to be motivated by feeling, not obligation. Yet, there are times when we simply have to press forward. In the life of a Christian, there is a need for discipline and regularity because it forces us to continue to move, even when we don't "feel" like it.
-We need to create more "space" in our lives. Running was a time that allowed me to get away. I could think, pray, or just zone out. I listened to music, noticed my surroundings, and could spend time with God. It wasn't always this spiritual emphasis, but there was availability for it to happen. We too often clutter our lives with the material--work, friends, family, and the busyness of life--that we don't leave space for anything else. We need time to get away from the demands of life and just "be."
Overall, I had a very positive Lenten experience this year. It's always nice to place ourselves outside of the usual routine and allow things to get changed up in our lives. Although I would never say that my running experiment was anything symbolic or parallel to Christ's sacrifice in His last 40 days on earth, it definitely was a beneficial instrument in my walk with Him. And as Easter reminds us, it's definitely not over yet! "He who began a good work" in my life is continuing to develop me. So, let the journey continue...
Monday, April 11, 2011
to be known...
"When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me. For now we see only a 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." 1 Corinthians 13:11-12
Recently, I was out for a walk and this passage came to mind. "Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known." How amazing will it be to be FULLY known? I can't even imagine how wonderful (and utterly scary) it will be to be known for who I truly am. There's such freedom in knowing that God loves me as I am, and that one day when I stand before Him, clothed in the righteousness of Christ, I will be fully known.
Yet, this time, the passage hit me from a different perspective. As amazing as it will be to be "known," how much more incredible will it be for us to fully know God? Right now, I can only know Him as much as my tiny little brain can hold and as much as the Holy Spirit reveals to me in my finite heart. How much does God also desire for himself to be fully known by us?
I thought about any other relationship we may have on this earth. Usually, relationships begin to grow and develop as people learn more about each other. Typically, one person does not hold all the knowledge about the other (that would be called "stalking"). Instead, as each person grows in their insight about the other person, the relationship gets closer. (Unless you learn more and begin to totally dislike what you are finding out!) We all hope that as this relationship develops, it will get stronger when the other person learns more about what makes us tick, how we operate, the things we enjoy, our hopes, desires and dreams. It's a cry of the human heart to be known and loved for who you really are.
Also, in our relationship with God the same could be said. Although He knows EVERYTHING about us, we can only fathom a small amount of the entirety of who He is while we are here on this earth. Does He not desire to be known by us as well? Not only known as much as our pea-sized minds can hold but REALLY known. One day, we will get the opportunity to stand before Him in all of His splendor and experience just that. And as amazing that it will be to be fully known for who we are...how much more incredible will it be to know God for who HE truly is?
"For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face..."
Recently, I was out for a walk and this passage came to mind. "Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known." How amazing will it be to be FULLY known? I can't even imagine how wonderful (and utterly scary) it will be to be known for who I truly am. There's such freedom in knowing that God loves me as I am, and that one day when I stand before Him, clothed in the righteousness of Christ, I will be fully known.
Yet, this time, the passage hit me from a different perspective. As amazing as it will be to be "known," how much more incredible will it be for us to fully know God? Right now, I can only know Him as much as my tiny little brain can hold and as much as the Holy Spirit reveals to me in my finite heart. How much does God also desire for himself to be fully known by us?
I thought about any other relationship we may have on this earth. Usually, relationships begin to grow and develop as people learn more about each other. Typically, one person does not hold all the knowledge about the other (that would be called "stalking"). Instead, as each person grows in their insight about the other person, the relationship gets closer. (Unless you learn more and begin to totally dislike what you are finding out!) We all hope that as this relationship develops, it will get stronger when the other person learns more about what makes us tick, how we operate, the things we enjoy, our hopes, desires and dreams. It's a cry of the human heart to be known and loved for who you really are.
Also, in our relationship with God the same could be said. Although He knows EVERYTHING about us, we can only fathom a small amount of the entirety of who He is while we are here on this earth. Does He not desire to be known by us as well? Not only known as much as our pea-sized minds can hold but REALLY known. One day, we will get the opportunity to stand before Him in all of His splendor and experience just that. And as amazing that it will be to be fully known for who we are...how much more incredible will it be to know God for who HE truly is?
"For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face..."
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