Today my brain has been attempting to draw my scattered thoughts together and pull them in, hone them into something that makes sense. The concept of the mysteries of God, and of life has been roving about in my mind.
Some of the mysteries I've been contemplating: How we, in our raw humanity, male OR female are created in the image of God. What does that tell us about His image? Both genders must somehow be stamped with certain aspects of God's character and disposition. Human psychology is SO complex and intriguing; I only wish I knew better how to understand it.
Then there's another mystery that I think of often: how two can become one flesh. It makes no sense in a human realm, but just ask anyone in a grounded, committed marriage, and they will tell you it's the truth! We may not be able to explain it, but we know it. It's a beautiful, mysterious secret that is shared just between the two.
And of course, from that comes the mystery of life. Indeed, the miracle of life. And how a mother can bond with, and fiercely love a person she has never met, just because that life grows within her. I heard the statement once that the decision to become a parent is the choice to forever have your heart walking around independent of your body. Mysterious, but true.
I'm humbled and amazed at the mystery of how we can receive comfort and solace from an Unseen Spirit. That Jesus went away because it would be better for us to have the Holy Spirit come. Aren't the workings of the Spirit something to boggle the mind? I could really go off in a million directions here because there's so much to His work among us. He bears witness to us in our own innermost being that we belong to the Father. Even more amazing to me, is how He bears witness between those in the household of faith. Can't you think of so many times when you've met a complete stranger and felt that "something" kindred, only to eventually uncover that they are a fellow believer?!? I've experienced that on numerous occasions and it always warms my heart. What an intriguing, beautiful mystery~!
Blood as a cleansing agent? That's certainly a mystery that defies human interpretation. Jesus Christ shed His blood ONCE for the sins of ALL, and it still has a cleansing affect all these years later. I'm thankful for that today! Even if I don't understand it!
Perhaps my ramblings here don't seem all that profound to anyone else, and I don't think I've done the topic much justice. It's so much deeper and more far-reaching than I can comprehend. I've only scratched the surface. But these are the ones that are ringing my bell today~!
I leave you with a favorite hymn, written in 1867 by Walter Chalmers Smith
Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise
Immortal, invisible, God only wise,
In light inaccessible hid from our eyes.
Most blessed, most glorious, the Ancient of Days,
Almighty, victorious, Thy great name we praise.
To all, life thou givest, to both great and small;
In all life thou livest, the true life of all;
We blossom and flourish as leaves on the tree,
And wither and perish, but naught changeth Thee.
Thou reignest in glory; thou dwellest in light;
Thine angels adore Thee, all veiling their sight;
All laud we would render: O help us to see
'Tis only the splendor of light hideth Thee.
14 comments:
A hearty Amen, my friend. It is actually comforting to me (in some mysterious way) that I don't have to be able to comprehend these truths for them to be just that...true. I revel in a God whose mind is so vast but who offers Himself so simply that even children can grasp it. Another mystery. :) Thanks for drawing my heart upward today!
Very Deep thoughts!! I am always amazed at how little I really know, but also agree that there's comfort in not having to know all the answers. Dietrich Bonhoffer writes of coming to another person THROUGH the Spirit..and that being the true fulfillment of God's design..reading that has always stayed w/me, even though that has not become a reality for me..although I believe it has to some degree in friendship. Anyway..good thoughts and good hymn. Love Ya!
Great post Tara! I too am mystified, and amazed at my Creator, Him creating ME in His image, how we married couples can be 2 and then become 1, the AWESOME miracle of life...and loving that child FOREVER...the comfort of the Holy Spirit, the bond one can feel meeting someone new, even when they speak another language, and you just KNOW that they too are a child of the King, and last but not LEAST, the cleansing of Jesus' blood. I LOVE THAT HYMN TOO, and enjoyed singing it off of your blog! Since we sing every Sunday and Wed. and Thurs in Spanish, we miss the rich words of our hymns. We do try to sing at least one or two hymns in English during our family devotions each day, so our kids can learn the English hymns too!
Thanks for your sweet comment on "My Thoughts" post...and here's a comment that I posted on my comments to you ladies.
Ladies~~ After Phillip read this post of mine, he said, "Help us, your friends are going to think that we're having trouble, or that it's tough being married to me the way you write!" =)
I think you know this, but wanted to make sure that there is NO DOUBT that Phillip and I are VERY HAPPILY MARRIED, and I love him more today than I ever have. =)
Great thoughts, Tara. Why is it my brain just can't get the words out? So many times I read something and it describes how I feel or what I've been thinking, but I can never get it into words. Thanks for doing that for me!
Thanks, Tara, for directing our thoughts to Him!
I love this post Tara. It reminds me of when I was attending University of Cincinnati. One of my classes was held in an auditorium that held 200 students and this class was packed full. The professor somehow spotted me at the beginning of the quarter and often pointed me out and asked me to stand and questioned me about God, etc. One time he asked the class if they thought there was a God and what they thought he looked like. There were all kinds of answers...a big blob - like a cloud, he was a tree, etc. A lot of them didn't even believe there was a god. It GRIEVED my heart as I sat there and realized how MANY people have no idea! As I knew he would, he eventually pointed to me and asked me to stand and give my opinion. After quoting a few scriptures about God creating us in his image, etc. - he wasn't satisfied and just kept trying to shoot down everything I said and finally I couldn't think of anything else to say except to tell them that I KNOW because his spirit dwells in my heart and guides me every day! It was amazing how the class was SO silent and he was at a loss for words. I wanted to say "the holy spirit is at work RIGHT NOW in this class! I can't fathom what people do without him!
Tara, Great blog!
I have chills as I read how Kelly stood up for Christ in such an amazing way! Go Kelly!!
Tara, Great blog!
I have chills as I read how Kelly stood up for Christ in such an amazing way! Go Kelly!!
"You cannot go on 'explaining away' for ever: you will find that you have explained explanation itself away. You cannot go on 'seeing through' things for ever. The whole point of seeing through something is to see something through it."
C.S. Lewis
Very good post Tara. You put it all into words better then I could. The same thoughts have been rolling around in this brain also. I've mostly been thinking of Heaven and what it must be like. A natural thing for me to wonder I guess, since Mom is there now. I think about the one who designed and created heaven. If we are made in his image...I just wonder.... I've seen some beautiful gardens here in England. The plans and design that go into the layout of the gardens are amazing. I imagine that's only a small taste of what Heaven is like. God created us to make plans, to design lay outs, to organise, to be creative.... Just imagine what heaven will be like. I pray we all make it there.
Thanks to you all for your thoughts and input here. It's always good to hear from each and every one of you. And to be reminded of such great minds as C.S. Lewis and Dietrich Bonhoeffer...wow! I can only imagine what it must be like to have a grip on your thoughts and feelings like these men had. Oh for the ability to put those great thoughts down in words, too!
Anita, I agree with you completely: Heaven takes on an ENTIRELY different "meaning" (see there, I can't think of a better word to use!) when you have people that you know there. I am young, but in just the last few years, Heaven's population has substantially increased with people that I know and care about. No one so close as a parent, but still.....I, too, can't help but daydream what it must be like there. Your thoughts were very moving...I also hope that we all make it. What a loss if we fail to end our journey at the desired Destination.
I'm alittle slow responding but just wanted to say "thanks" for causing us to stop and think about the mysteries of God! I don't do that often enough!
While giving the boys their latest haircut, we began talking about how our God knows every hair on our head, ect. Of couse that blew their minds as it has mine whenever I think of it. I remember our pastor saying that if we could understand God, He would no longer be God. He is truly amazing!
Blessings!
I'd like to continue along the same thoughts that Julia shared about God knows every hair on our head.
I often pray in the shower. It's really the only place where I'm left alone with my thoughts. It's a time of cleansing physically and spiritually for me. As I allow the water to wash away the prespiration from the day...I allow God to wash away all my concerns, cares and worries from the day.
One day I was praying about my Dad's health. I've been concerned very much about him ever since Mom went to be with Jesus. I prayed that God would give Dad good health and allow him to enjoy life here on earth. I told God that I'm aware heaven would be an even better place for Dad...but I need him around for a few more years. The thought kept coming to me that God knows best and whatever will be will be and that I was being selfish. And then my prayer became very simple and sincere...I just said....Lord, please just understand me. And the thought came straight back to me that of course He understands us. He formed us in our mother's womb. He knows every hair on our head. Of course He understands. The Almighty One understands me.
Tara;
Beautiful post my friend. He is truly myserious and yet fully trustworthy.
Post a Comment