Right now we're being hit by (hopefully) the coldest part of the year with our air temperature at 2 degrees F (-16.7 C). I heard yesterday that wind chill temperatures to hit us will be at -10 to -20 F (-23.3 to -28.9 C). A little cold for me. More than a little too cold for Deb. On top of that, we're turning our furnace down to save fuel, and huddle in our bedroom with the heater made by the Amish, given to us by my mother. We do look forward to Spring, and even to getting into the 20's on Sunday! Supposedly some kind of January thaw is to hit us, temperatures even into the 30's by next week.
We are embodied creatures, and in God's world, in a true sense all material is spiritual. In other words God never meant for the two to be divorced from each other, but to become one through creation and redemption. We tend to separate them, somehow thinking we have to rise above the body and material, to the spiritual, and that this is at the heart of Christianity.
What is at the heart of Christianity and of God's world is incarnation. God in Jesus became one of us, yes- flesh. Completely human as we are, while still God. This forever puts an end to the lie that matter is secondary to spirit. The two are distinct yet are made and indeed will be remade through Jesus' incarnation and the new creation, to be joined together as one.
What does that have to do with cold weather? And what does that have to do with all human suffering? Jesus suffered for us, and we in Jesus will suffer with him in this life. Of course this refers to suffering because of our witness to Jesus in this world. And we enjoy many things with our bodies: this warm tea I am drinking (my bp was a little high at our health screen the other day, so I'm cutting back on the caffeine and drinking less coffee), the warmth we enjoy by a heater or under the covers, a good meal, maybe a fine glass of wine (for me, I prefer beer, but rarely indulge in it), a walk with our spouse or friend or even by ourselves on our sidewalks (or better yet, on nature trails), etc., etc.
The body is not to be despised but is an important part of our spirituality. God through Jesus by the Spirit inhabits our bodies, God's Temple, both individually as well as corporately- in us together in Jesus. When our sisters and brothers in the world suffer for their faith, we're to suffer with them. We're to pray and help each other, as well as all people with regard to their bodies, not just their "souls". Though we must remember as we do all of that, the priority of importance in their (and our) relationship with God.
So I am cold, and I am tired of the cold, besides having a bad back I somehow twisted over the weekend. Deb is as well. But God is good, no matter what. God will see us through as we look forward to the day when all is made new in Jesus. The resurrection and renewal of all things. When heaven and earth become one, and God becomes truly all in all. Thankfully that begins here and now in Jesus, already present yet not completed. Nice to know we have some relief to look forward to here and now, and especially beyond. In love we are taken, and all will be in God through Christ by the Spirit. Truly all will be one in Jesus. (I do look forward to the weather then!!!)
What would you like to add to this, hopefully from a warmer place?
Showing posts with label suffering. Show all posts
Showing posts with label suffering. Show all posts
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
"Heron Road - suffering" by L.L. Barkat
In L.L. Barkat's new book, Stone Crossings: Finding Grace in Hard and Hidden Places, we continue through her story which is interesting all by itself. Enough was enough for her and her sister. It was more than an ultimatum to their mother even as young teenager girls. They were leaving to escape their stepfather and expressed hope that she would come with them. You imagine the scene as L.L. is truly an artist with words. And an artist with special intent, telling you her story unblinkingly and helping you see that story as well as your own in light of God's story.
Suffering was a part of L.L.'s and her sister's life, as well as their mother's. They were victims of a man who was bent on a path of destruction. Hopefully people will reach out to the Balm of Gilead through the gentle waters of Shiloah, knowing their need as they present themselves as the bruised reed they are. But for those who refuse to come to God in this quiet conversion sort of way there awaits the mighty flood of Assyria. Anything but pleasant as heads not only went rolling but were displayed on the city walls. But God's way of getting people's attention if his goodness and their own brokenness is not enough.
For L.L. and her sister the door of their father's house was open, so they made the difficult choice to leave their mother, if need be, so that they could at last do what they had wanted to do for so long. But now had the courage to follow through come what may.
Suffering does that to us. It makes us look for change. Naturally we shrink from pain, whatever kind it might be. And we want to find the cure for it. This makes suffering a most important ingredient in our lives to help us come to our senses and find our way home as did the prodigal son.
This has been true in my life in a number of ways. I remember how at the age of 17 my Old Gold straights just didn't taste good anymore. The friends I had who were into my music and getting good stuff just didn't seem much like friends anymore. My own life seemed empty and I was in pain. I knew I was a sinner and that Jesus is the Savior. That is when by the Spirit's working I finally committed my life to God through Jesus. Enough was enough. I was coming home at last.
I still experience suffering along the way, some of my own making, some from living in a fallen world with other sinners. In all of it, God wants me to find his grace and he doesn't particularly care how hard the place may be if need be, though God would have us find it in the more gentle way, as L.L. points out. But what matters in the end is that we do find what we need and all we need in God through Jesus.
Much good teaching in this chapter from God's word as L.L. continues to share her story of how she found God's grace in hard and hidden places.
What would you like to share from your own life about this, or anything else you might like to say?
I quote from L.L.'s chapter, "quiet conversion" one example, and chose not to note that here. I probably do so without knowing it, as well. I probably have done the same on other posts.
1. Stepping Stones - conversion
2. Christmas Coal - shame
3. Tossed Treasures - messiness
Next week: chapter 5: "Sword in the Stone - resistance"
Suffering was a part of L.L.'s and her sister's life, as well as their mother's. They were victims of a man who was bent on a path of destruction. Hopefully people will reach out to the Balm of Gilead through the gentle waters of Shiloah, knowing their need as they present themselves as the bruised reed they are. But for those who refuse to come to God in this quiet conversion sort of way there awaits the mighty flood of Assyria. Anything but pleasant as heads not only went rolling but were displayed on the city walls. But God's way of getting people's attention if his goodness and their own brokenness is not enough.
For L.L. and her sister the door of their father's house was open, so they made the difficult choice to leave their mother, if need be, so that they could at last do what they had wanted to do for so long. But now had the courage to follow through come what may.
Suffering does that to us. It makes us look for change. Naturally we shrink from pain, whatever kind it might be. And we want to find the cure for it. This makes suffering a most important ingredient in our lives to help us come to our senses and find our way home as did the prodigal son.
This has been true in my life in a number of ways. I remember how at the age of 17 my Old Gold straights just didn't taste good anymore. The friends I had who were into my music and getting good stuff just didn't seem much like friends anymore. My own life seemed empty and I was in pain. I knew I was a sinner and that Jesus is the Savior. That is when by the Spirit's working I finally committed my life to God through Jesus. Enough was enough. I was coming home at last.
I still experience suffering along the way, some of my own making, some from living in a fallen world with other sinners. In all of it, God wants me to find his grace and he doesn't particularly care how hard the place may be if need be, though God would have us find it in the more gentle way, as L.L. points out. But what matters in the end is that we do find what we need and all we need in God through Jesus.
Much good teaching in this chapter from God's word as L.L. continues to share her story of how she found God's grace in hard and hidden places.
What would you like to share from your own life about this, or anything else you might like to say?
I quote from L.L.'s chapter, "quiet conversion" one example, and chose not to note that here. I probably do so without knowing it, as well. I probably have done the same on other posts.
1. Stepping Stones - conversion
2. Christmas Coal - shame
3. Tossed Treasures - messiness
Next week: chapter 5: "Sword in the Stone - resistance"
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
