Living each day in response to the Son
I had a conversation the other day with a beloved friend. They had mentioned how the Lord continues to move in their life, both as a parent and as an individual. As we talked, more on abiding and living in a dependent attitude towards the Lord, I began to see things as an allegory, when it comes to the kingdom of heaven. I have always appreciated the Lord’s flare for story telling and creating parables and allegories which pointed to the truth of the Kingdom. But as we develop more, and my friend is starting to see this everywhere, all of creation shows a picture of his goodness, and his compassion.
They mentioned how staying in God’s word allows God to renew our minds, and brings us closer. In fact, in a devotion time with my own kids they decided they wanted to memorize James 1:7 NIV; “Submit therefore to God, resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.” How else can we get closer to him than through learning about his character, and about who we are? Isn’t this the same as we might learn about a friend, or a romantic partner. Isn’t this how we learn about our parents, and about our kids? God’s word written is just as important and authoritative as if he were speaking audibly to us. The Jews understood this greatly and went to great lengths to preserve His words as treasure. So allowing God’s word to transform us, instead of giving us unique insights, allows for a complete metamorphosis. By living in this manner we are walking spiritually in the same manner as Adam and Eve walked. How amazing is that?
What’s more, I had an image of how God’s word and his work in our lives should truly change our every choice, our every thought. Picture this for one minute, when you wake and see the sun rising, or sun setting it sets into motion choices based on your observation. When the day comes we don’t say, “Oh it is day” and then do nothing. Instead the light starts all sorts of actions, reflection, and purpose. Shops open, other establishments close. Beds are made and cars are started. All in reflection and response because the say started.
Yet in the same way, when we abide in the Lord and walk in purpose, meaning, and light we look and see the work of God in our lives.
It shouldn’t be us looking as saying, “yup, that’s light.”
Instead to our very core it should motivate us.
Our shops should open (worship, praise, works borne with faith).
Other shops in our lives should close (sins and finding our meaning in the temporal), which can only function at night.
Beds are made, and cars started almost in the same way Paul describes the boots shod ready with the gospel (Ephesians 6).
With this He will make our paths straight.
When the whole of our unified being responds to the knowledge that God is working in and through us, that He is sovereign, and when that knowledge is illuminated with evidence, we can’t help but be shaken and torn from the roots that took when we were younger.
This is a picture of what it means to be transformed by Him, and not merely to see change in our lives. Is it any wonder why the 1st century Christians were so crazy and fanatically on fire and full of love and faith even as they burned on a stake, were fed to lions or wild dogs, or staked to a crucifix? Radical faith, borne from radical transformation, from a radical God. That’s life abiding!
