Being a people of grace, living in a harsh world governed by law and conformity, administered through all kinds of fear based systems of control certainly creates some challenges. It can be very costly. But whoever said this road was easy?
I've seen enough and it all becomes clearer and clearer everyday.
The road of going with the flow of the world's so called wisdom has always been a dead ender. But this is where we are to live and we are to live in it and not attempt to escape it. We are to be people of love and grace in the middle of it. Jesus' wisdom seemed to point to something on the lines of ; Live wide awake to the ways of the world and do not be fooled by the schemes and lies. We are also governed by necessity as we live here though. We need food, shelter and clothing, but let us not forget that Jesus said his father knows we need these things and he will provide. One of the things I am awakening to is, to the degree I have attempted to live beyond that necessity and grabbed for more things, the world's claws have penetrated deeper into me. Turning from that place that had become all too familiar, has begun to open up some WIDE SPACES. Spaces of freedom. In that wide open space the world loses it's grip on us.
The world's methods are not friendly to the ways of God. It does not understand grace. Every so often you might see grace attempt to peek through, but as quickly as it appeared it disappears again. Don't be surprised and don't be alarmed. The one we are following knows the world's game and he overcame. If we stick with him and keep our eyes open to our life hidden in him, in that place.....grace has already won and is set in place. It's the only place freedom can be found.
6 comments:
"Every so often you might see grace attempt to peek through, but as quickly as it appeared it disappears again. Don't be surprised and don't be alarmed."
Even more surprising and alarming is when it happens in our own hearts. So hard and so soft. But even then - don't be surprised and don't be alarmed. In some sense we are seated in the heavenlies, and everything is gonna be just fine.
Goodnight now Kentster. I am going off to the land of nod.
Very true Sue. We are a mixed bag and we should not be surprised or alarmed. Grace is at work to unwind that in us and yet it's very nature covers it all. It's pretty darn good news.
aww that is sure some good stuff there wow , and great grace upon us all ,
Yeah it can be very costly in terms of living after ourselves
but shall I say very cozy if we are running after His heart for us and one another
Ruth
Hi Kent,
great observations....funny how many believers are saying "must we stay indistinguishable from our surrounding culture and world?."
It makes me think of a story in Jimmy Dorrell's book "trolls and truth." Having an East Indian believer visiting with him in the states, Jimmy asked, "so what do you think of the states?" His guest's reply was, "everyone has really big trash cans." I would imagine to insinuate how much "consuming" we do.
it's a topic I've been wrestling with a bit meself.
One of Mother Theresa's quotes was "small things done with great love will change the world." Perhaps small changes made with the help of great grace will help as well?
peace,
Todd
Thanks Kent... Love ya Man! :)
enjoyed your thoughts kent. i have been reflecting on the world we live in: one in which two realms are present (God's realm and the twisted realm).
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