My husband and I had dinner the other night with some dear friends. Our conversation didn't exactly meander to the topic of God. It was more like it burst into it with both guns blazing, although now, I can't stop my thoughts from meandering back to one simple phrase that our friend said: Christ in me.
Several years ago I went through a season of reading the works of some Christian mystics, desert fathers and mothers as they are sometimes called because they separated themselves from their culture and lived in the desert to more effectively spend time with God without the distractions of city life. I read quite a bit of Jeanne Guyon. She obviously loved God deeply, and I learned a lot from her writings, but there was one phrase that she couldn't seem to emphasize enough, and it always bothered me - look within yourself to find God (sounds a little new-agey, doesn't it?) Honestly, the thought has been repulsive to me. It's so contrary to our modern Christian thought. We want to look outward - toward others. Besides, if I look inside myself, all I find is me along with all my faults and failings. Nope, I'm not really into the whole look-inside-yourself thing. I'd like to get away from me and onto God and others. That is, after all, more spiritual, isn't it?
Enter - our dinner conversation and these scriptures that have assailed me since:
As the truth of Christ is in me ... - 2 Corinthians 11:10; Or do you not realize this about yourselves - that Jesus Christ is in you? - 2 Corinthians 13:5; ...but Christ who lives in me. - Galatians 2:20; Christ in you, the hope of glory - Colossians 1:27
This past Sunday, our pastor (coincidentally of course) spoke about the Holy Spirit living in each of us.
Christians are so good at over-spiritualizing life and everything in it. We're afraid to say "I" want to do this or "I" did that. It sounds so self-centered - and who wants to be (or sound) self-centered? We think that "I" is exclusive of "God" and that "God" is exclusive of "I." Either we make a decision on our own or we follow what we believe God is asking of us. It's one or the other: God's will or mine (and never the twain shall meet). We can't seem to grasp that when Christ is in me, I'm not alone - ever, and if I'm not alone, if Christ is truly in me, then He speaks to me and through me. If I have a dream or a passion for something, there's a really good chance that it's God, that what I want is not exclusive of what God wants for me (obviously I'm not talking about anything immoral or sinful).
As these thoughts swirled around within my cranium this week, I found myself strengthened, empowered even. Could it be true? Is it possible that in everything I do - EVERYTHING - I am not alone? Is it possible that because God lives in me, He's the one who has placed certain desires, certain dreams, in my heart? Is it possible that because He lives in me, I can talk to others and trust that He is speaking into their life? That I can hang out with friends and co-workers and not mention His name but know that He is with us? All because He lives in me? Is it possible that Jesus spoke truth when He prayed in John 17, "I in them and You in Me . . . ?"
So consider your life, your dreams, what you love. Now consider that it's not just you but Christ in you.
Several years ago I went through a season of reading the works of some Christian mystics, desert fathers and mothers as they are sometimes called because they separated themselves from their culture and lived in the desert to more effectively spend time with God without the distractions of city life. I read quite a bit of Jeanne Guyon. She obviously loved God deeply, and I learned a lot from her writings, but there was one phrase that she couldn't seem to emphasize enough, and it always bothered me - look within yourself to find God (sounds a little new-agey, doesn't it?) Honestly, the thought has been repulsive to me. It's so contrary to our modern Christian thought. We want to look outward - toward others. Besides, if I look inside myself, all I find is me along with all my faults and failings. Nope, I'm not really into the whole look-inside-yourself thing. I'd like to get away from me and onto God and others. That is, after all, more spiritual, isn't it?
Enter - our dinner conversation and these scriptures that have assailed me since:
As the truth of Christ is in me ... - 2 Corinthians 11:10; Or do you not realize this about yourselves - that Jesus Christ is in you? - 2 Corinthians 13:5; ...but Christ who lives in me. - Galatians 2:20; Christ in you, the hope of glory - Colossians 1:27
This past Sunday, our pastor (coincidentally of course) spoke about the Holy Spirit living in each of us.
Christians are so good at over-spiritualizing life and everything in it. We're afraid to say "I" want to do this or "I" did that. It sounds so self-centered - and who wants to be (or sound) self-centered? We think that "I" is exclusive of "God" and that "God" is exclusive of "I." Either we make a decision on our own or we follow what we believe God is asking of us. It's one or the other: God's will or mine (and never the twain shall meet). We can't seem to grasp that when Christ is in me, I'm not alone - ever, and if I'm not alone, if Christ is truly in me, then He speaks to me and through me. If I have a dream or a passion for something, there's a really good chance that it's God, that what I want is not exclusive of what God wants for me (obviously I'm not talking about anything immoral or sinful).
As these thoughts swirled around within my cranium this week, I found myself strengthened, empowered even. Could it be true? Is it possible that in everything I do - EVERYTHING - I am not alone? Is it possible that because God lives in me, He's the one who has placed certain desires, certain dreams, in my heart? Is it possible that because He lives in me, I can talk to others and trust that He is speaking into their life? That I can hang out with friends and co-workers and not mention His name but know that He is with us? All because He lives in me? Is it possible that Jesus spoke truth when He prayed in John 17, "I in them and You in Me . . . ?"
So consider your life, your dreams, what you love. Now consider that it's not just you but Christ in you.
You gave me goose bumps
ReplyDeleteNow that's what I'm a talkin' bout! deb
ReplyDeleteJesus and I both like this post Lori! Keep it up!
ReplyDeleteEvery post I read of yours, I wish you lived next door and we could continue the conversation...
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing so much of me, I mean you, I mean Christ in you.
kisses!
Con
Lady, I actually think more often the other way, of sorts, that everything I do well is God in me coming out. Especially a "good idea"... I do know they aren't mine.. Keep up the thought provoking posts.
ReplyDelete