Yesterday's simple little post opened up such a wonderful time of thinking and resting for me from some chaotic things that had been attempting to press in and do what they do....drag us from the place of rest and peace and joy that belong to those learning to live in God's presence, regardless as to what is going on around us. The thing that seems to always be at the center of that place of rest, at least for me, is a clearer understanding of this thing of necessity. It's just another way of saying...What is of importance?
When I am at rest in Father Son and Spirit I am so aware of the reality that I am in need of nothing. It also has a way of revealing to us the things we have grabbed that we really don't need. They are extra baggage and they just have a way of weighing us down. In that place of rest, letting them go becomes a much easier choice because rest has a way of helping us see the things of the Spirit set in contrast to the things of the flesh and all the other activities that are creations of the fallen mind.
The first song yesterday spoke to me of living like a gambler when it comes to believing what God has spoken to us and made possible for us through Jesus. When a new space of freedom is being shown us by the Spirit, walking out into it, as an act of faith, feels like a gamble. Well, to the natural mind that is. There is nothing concrete to hold on to. But once we begin to live in an abiding trust of God the Father, taking the gamble becomes much easier. And once we take that step, we come to see it really wasn't risky at all when it comes to the things that matter...we then begin to see that the place we had been occupying can never give us what we long for and are in need of. The only security and peace that exists, exists in the place of learning to abide in them and them in us. That's rest.
The second song, To The Morning, speaks to me of waking up everyday with great anticipation of seeing the unfolding realities of the life lived in the Spirit. Learning to live with open hands, holding everything loosely. The more we have to protect, the less freedom we will experience and then loving becomes impossible. The life in the Spirit has been simplified for me. It's about love and it's about freedom. It's sacrificial not self-serving. And as this reality begins to happen in us the most important question gets answered in a resounding way. To love as Jesus loves is to love as God the Father loves and learning to love like that no longer seems strange. Love guided by grace is not naive or passive even though it seems that way to the fallen mind.....it's the very power of God to transform that which is twisted, broken and enslaved and set it free.
Do we feel like it's a good day to take that gamble?
5 comments:
"Learning to live with open hands, holding everything loosely. The more we have to protect, the less freedom we will experience and then loving becomes impossible. The life in the Spirit has been simplified for me. It's about love and it's about freedom."
There's great freedom in this post. When we come to understand what's important and has value in the kingdom of God, it becomes critical that we let go of everything else. I don't believe Father takes these things away from us but in this world of uncertainty, they can be easily lost.
As our desire to increase in knowing and understanding this love and feedom that is ours, the storms of life will come and we'll be at peace and rest in the middle of them.
Great post, Kent.
Aida, it's real...it's really real.
Wayne just asked me this in an email today: "Don’t you love being in the middle of this stuff?"
I'm excited about the freedom in life you are finding Aida.
Thanks, Kent. You've been a source of great encouragement for me during the process.
Aida, it just feels really wonderful to feel for the first time in my life that I am living less distracted which in turn I guess makes me more available. I really honestly don't feel like I am doing anything except learning to live free of fear.
It's been fun connecting with you. You are a beautiful individual and Father's love is being reflected through you.
Thank you, Kent, for all of your encouragement.
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