There has been some turbulence and changes happening at record speed in our world. At the same time, I believe there has been significant breakthrough and a shift that has been taking place. It’s only the end of January…so I can only imagine what the rest of 2017 holds for all of us. I’m certain there are many lessons to learn and ways to love better.
As this life swirls about me, I’m learning a lot. I’m intrigued and excited about learning. One of the things I’m learning is to be quicker at letting go of my expectations, and hold fiercely, the hand of the unchanging One! Our Heavenly Father is the only sure, constant One in an ever changing world.
In all of the changes, noise and opinions, it can become increasingly difficult to remain hopeful about the future and the world we will one day hand over to our children. Yet, God our Father in His wisdom and unending love, has a brilliant plan for you and me and every human on this planet.
Let me break it down a little bit…
Despite all of our differing opinions, one mutual ground we stand on is that we’re all very human. One of the central things we all face as humans, is PAIN! Uggghhhh just the word alone, sounds painful. (Another word in which the pronunciation sort of describes its meaning is: murmur. Go ahead. I’ll wait, while you mutter it under your breath. 🙂 Ok back to my painful topic!!)
Pain is both a classroom and a teacher. Why? Because we’re taught in that pain and learn from that pain. While no one likes to go through pain, we can be grateful for the priceless lessons that bring more depth, meaning and clarity in the way we LOVE ourselves, and one another.
In the onslaught of painful trials, we get to remain and abide in Christ and His fullness and live from that place of stillness, all while:
…the list goes on…
Only Holy Spirit can empower us to live in Christ and love so wholeheartedly and generously. He understands our weaknesses and isn’t overwhelmed by our humanness! He offers us a higher way of living. But when we only live from our humanity, we opt for a limited level of vision or understanding. When we choose to partner with the DIVINE – the Trinity – life then becomes, not only what we see but also how we perceive, what we see.
We begin to see more clearly, when we confront our sin, limitations and brokeness, and surrender to His Divine nature that’s teeming with life, goodness and freedom!
Jesus Christ didn’t come to the earth and atone (condition of being “at one” with us, reconciling us to the Father) for our sins after we were cleansed, pure and holy. He came while we were still stuck deep in sin. The Divine emptying Himself into our human hearts and flooding us with His life, light and love is a profound mystery. His light can invade the darkest of situations and His voice can whisper truth that releases freedom.
As we become more aware of His Voice and Presence and go beyond “being religious,” our eyes, ears and hearts become opened and awakened to living life as it really was meant to be lived. Truthfully, abundantly and freely! In all the turbulence and noise of the times we live in, we get to live from a higher consciousness and awareness of our true, hidden life in Christ and live from that reality. Despite the very human experiences of fear and pain of past disappointments, we can reach forward, trusting that our Divine Creator – our God – is creating and working something glorious for our good and His glory!
God – the Divine Love – is the great Sustainer of our fragile, human souls.
All that we have lost, gains significance through Him.
All that we are, exists because of Him.
All that we hope to be, is held together in Him.
St.Augustine of Hippo brilliantly expressed, “You have made us for Yourself, and our hearts are restless until they find their rest in You.”
When we live from His Divine nature, an inexplainable peace and rest become our trademark. Every where we go, we can linger in that place of being one with Him and allow His life to flow through us. I certainly haven’t arrived and have moments where I’m incredibly human 🙂 but I’m certain God’s heart welcomes us, as we are. After all, He already saw our worst human condition (sin) and nothing stopped Him from stooping down to build us up, by offering His Son to bring reconciliation to our hearts.
Before I sign off, I wanted to share some beautiful scriptures to feast your spirits on as well as some recommended reading that will help in thinking, living and loving from an aerial view in this beautiful, messy, painful, temporal, noisy world. (The recommended reading isn’t comprehensive…just a short list to get started on).
I would love to hear from YOU…be sure to comment below! We’re all in this together.
Much Love,
~ Johanna
Colossians 1:11,13
¹¹And we pray that you would be energized with all His explosive power from the realm of His magnificent glory, filling you with great hope and joy in the Holy Spirit!
¹³He has rescued us completely from the dominion of darkness and by His love He has translated us into the realm of His kingdom where we are one with His Beloved Son.
Colossians 3:1-4
Christ’s resurrection from the dead is your resurrection too. This is why we are to yearn for all that is above, for that’s where Christ sits enthroned at the place of all power, honor, and authority! ² Yes, feast on all the treasures of the heavenly realm and fill your thoughts with heavenly realities, and not with the distractions of the natural realm. ³ Your crucifixion with Christ has severed the tie to this life, and now your true life is hidden away in God as you live within the Anointed One. ⁴ And every time Christ Himself is seen for who He really is, who you really are will also be revealed, for you are now one with Him in His glory!
Recommended Reading
Blessing Your Spirit
The Rest of the Gospel: When The Partial Gospel Has Worn You Out
The Believer’s Secret of Abiding Presence – Andrew Murray and Brother Lawrence
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