iCrucified

Sorting, Processing, and Continued Reflection… 40 Days Living the Jesus  Creed (Day 14)

“The desperate need for today is not for a greater number of intelligent people, or gifted people, but deep people…” [Celebration of Discipline by Richard Foster]

Quotables from “Deep-Rooted in Christ” by Joshua Choonmin Kang:

• “The Word of God is the only tool that can bring about our spiritual formation.”
• “The Holy Spirit is what brings us to maturity and depth.”
• “The Holy Spirit offers us the utmost intimate knowledge of God and our inward thoughts.”

I’m still sorting through several things going on in my life; not the least of which are personal relationships. I continue to meditate and reflect on the precepts of God as I search His leading and guidance on how to live as a “reconciler” and peacemaker. It is difficult; however, as I see it there is no choice other than to submit to God’s leading (the Holy Spirit that dwells within us) and allow Him to help me be the instrument of grace, forgiveness, and restoration that I have been created to be. This entails “taking captive the strongholds of myself” (2 Corinthians 10:4-5) in order to become the instrument of grace and love that I was created to be. It’s hard, but it must be done. I am also reading a wonderful book on Sabbath, coincidentally having the same title name, Sabbath by Dan Allender; it is part of the Ancient Practices Series edited by Phyllis Tickle and published by Thomas Nelson. In it, Allender writes the following:

“Peace calls not for agreement but hospitality and care; not debate, but sufficient care and curiosity to listen to the different paths people have taken to find meaning.”

(sigh…) “Lord, may Your Holy Spirit lead me to be the tool of grace that I am created to be…instead of me just being a tool.”

Day 14 thoughts and meditation from 40DLTJC -

• “Faith without works is dead” (James 2:17)
• “When I was in need, you helped…” (Matthew 25:35-36)

EIKONS >>>>> “What does it mean… What does it look like…to be an image-bearer of God?”

Scot McKnight shares a great visual illustration in today’s reading of Living the Jesus Creed; “God’s own love within the TRINITY explodes into the creation of eikons who are shaped by God to love God, self, and others, and this cycle of love begins with those closes to us, and ripples into our community of faith and then into anyone we might meet who is in need.”

Something I need to continue remembering and dwelling upon throughout my daily meditations; being “filled with the Holy Spirit“ really means that Jesus Christ dwells within my being…my soul. I don’t know, and can’t explain, how it works…but the Bible (Jesus) says it is so. My mission in this physical life is to submit to His “indwelling” leadership over my life. I have within me the ability to respond to life in the same way as Jesus did when He walked the earth…because… HE Walks In Me!