Together
It seems like there are some experiences in life that blossom with words, but there are others that are almost best left savored quietly. These times put words to shame, and as much I love words, they suddenly seem so limited. But if I had to pick one word to describe a recent experience with God, I would choose the word "together."
I was on a walk recently, talking with God, when He somehow pointed out that I often tend to take on the world alone. I think am supposed to be responsible, reasonable, predictable, strong, clever...and anything else that can get me through the chaos of life with as little mess of my own as possible--while trying to help others with their messes at the same time. I think this started to dawn on me this summer, and I had been feeling frustrated by it, but wasn't quite sure what to do about it. But in this little 30-minute conversation, God somehow got through to me that I don't have to do it alone. We can do it together.
I realized that I often separate myself and God in my own mind. I am down here, trying to fix my life up, trying to keep on top of things before I can check back in with Him to let Him know how everything is going (usually, just tired and frustrated). And God is up there in His own world, doing things for me, providing things for me, listening to me--but still far away. And yes, I've heard what I'm saying here a thousand times in a thousand sermons probably, but it seems like it's not until the Spirit rips off the blindfold that I actually get these things sometimes. Or maybe I just have to figure it out over and over again. Regardless, I finally got it (again) that we aren't in two separate worlds--we are together. That's the beauty of the cross--it takes out the barrier of sin and shame, and brings us together to live this life--I in Him and Him in me.
Matthew 11:29-30 highlights the fact that finding rest in Jesus is about sharing a yoke with Him. We are working together, and He's the one leading out. I definitely feel very inept at trying to describe this, but it has just been a beautiful and freeing thing to realize that everything I do now is not on my own. I am not alone, "holding down the fort." I am not alone trying to make hard decisions. I am not alone trying to support others or facing my own disappointments.
Immanuel. God with us. Together.
I was on a walk recently, talking with God, when He somehow pointed out that I often tend to take on the world alone. I think am supposed to be responsible, reasonable, predictable, strong, clever...and anything else that can get me through the chaos of life with as little mess of my own as possible--while trying to help others with their messes at the same time. I think this started to dawn on me this summer, and I had been feeling frustrated by it, but wasn't quite sure what to do about it. But in this little 30-minute conversation, God somehow got through to me that I don't have to do it alone. We can do it together.
I realized that I often separate myself and God in my own mind. I am down here, trying to fix my life up, trying to keep on top of things before I can check back in with Him to let Him know how everything is going (usually, just tired and frustrated). And God is up there in His own world, doing things for me, providing things for me, listening to me--but still far away. And yes, I've heard what I'm saying here a thousand times in a thousand sermons probably, but it seems like it's not until the Spirit rips off the blindfold that I actually get these things sometimes. Or maybe I just have to figure it out over and over again. Regardless, I finally got it (again) that we aren't in two separate worlds--we are together. That's the beauty of the cross--it takes out the barrier of sin and shame, and brings us together to live this life--I in Him and Him in me.
Matthew 11:29-30 highlights the fact that finding rest in Jesus is about sharing a yoke with Him. We are working together, and He's the one leading out. I definitely feel very inept at trying to describe this, but it has just been a beautiful and freeing thing to realize that everything I do now is not on my own. I am not alone, "holding down the fort." I am not alone trying to make hard decisions. I am not alone trying to support others or facing my own disappointments.
Immanuel. God with us. Together.
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ReplyDeletehmmm thanx
ReplyDeletepraise God! why is it so difficult for us to get this and to remember it?
ReplyDeletethe picture adds a very nice touch. i like the thought. it's one that gives a nice sigh at the end. ahh, good.
ReplyDeleteI struggle with the remembering that part...like throughout the day.
ReplyDeleteThat last line is a winning line in a great blog.
ReplyDeletewell done.