Lately, I’ve been wondering why so many conflicts and controversies grip the guts of people of faith. To get caught in all that is to fall (to some degree) from a level of grace. Here is how the Apostle Paul put it to the Galatians:
“I suspect you would never intend this, but this is what happens. When you attempt to live by your own religious plans and projects, you are cut off from Christ, you fall out of grace.” (Gal. 5:4; The Message)
When we move from our faith that seeks first the Kingdom of God, and instead, depend on the means of humanity to accomplish righteousness, we cut our listening hearts off from the Spirit’s gentle whispers.
However, when we reach by faith’s eyes and heart, for the King’s perspective, our hearts and minds are pulled to the higher ground where He is seated with His father. We’re all born from above, and born for things that transcend secular methods to accomplish God’s purpose.
Let me recommend that you read about the Seventh Chapter of Daniel. He (Daniel) saw various ugly and mutated beasts coming up from the briny waters of the lowlands. But one phrase keeps appearing: "I kept looking."
If we are going to sail through the turbulent waters of this age, we have to keep looking past the mutant beasts churning the dark waters of politics. Daniel looked past each beast until he saw the Ancient of Days taking His seat on His throne. Even after that, he kept on looking until he saw the Son of Man – presented to His Eternal Father, the Ancient of Days – taking His seat with His Father.
Don’t forget – they are still seated there! Our Lord is ALREADY CROWNED KING. Daniel lived in Babylon, but Babylon didn’t live in Daniel.
Many believers in Christ simply do not see Him seated or crowned… YET. Furthermore, they either don't know or don't even believe that He rules NOW over his kingdom.
Maybe they are frightened. But, it's supposed to be the sinners in His kingdom (Zion) that become frightened by the shaking; see Isaiah 33:14. In that same passage, Isaiah went on to speak of the righteous – those whose eyes were on the higher places. He spoke of them as having a better frame of mind and hope. Those people of God with a transcendent perspective will only ponder the terrors and anxieties around them. They will not fear them!
Naturally, as an American, I am concerned with the changes to this republic and economy that seem to be unfolding. But I choose to look past the distasteful creatures vying for power and control. Our hope, and anchor of the soul has to remain firmly "within the veil" that separates the visible concerns from the Kingdom promise (Heb 6:18-20). This hope is "both sure and steadfast."
The hope set before us is not a Christian renaissance of “traditional American values.”
Everything else -- EVERYTHING IN TIME-SPACE -- HAS TO BE SHAKEN until ONLY that unshakable kingdom remains (Heb 12:27-29). That perspective transcends America and all other nations. That is a victorious view of history. But, the many conspiratorial anxieties in the air make it difficult to see or hear that view.
That transcendent, biblical perspective on the Kingdom of God really gets my juices flowing. When I see it, my faith and hope become sure and steady.
Let me finish this meditation with my own paraphrase, drawn heavily from The Message:
"Keep looking until you see the king—such a beautiful sight! And you’ll take in the wide vistas of land. In your mind you’ll go over the old terrors, asking: 'What happened to those who condemned and tried to confiscate your treasures? And the one who gouged us of taxes? And that cheating moneychanger?' They are all gone! Out of sight forever! Their insolence is nothing now but a fading stain on the carpet! No more putting up with a language of old words with different meanings. The sounds of gibberish in my ears are now gone.’
"Just take a long, meditative look at the Kingdom of God, will you? Centering your worship in festival feasts! Feast your eyes on the Throne Room, a quiet and comforting place to live. No more pulling up stakes and moving on, no more patched-together lean-tos. Instead, GOD! GOD majestic, God himself the place in a country of broad rivers and streams. For GOD makes all the decisions here. GOD is our king. GOD runs this place and he’ll keep us safe. (Paraphrased from Is. 33:17-22; The Message)
Can we not look past the saltwater uproar to the Hills of Zion that still “yields a thousand sacred sweets, before we reach the heavenly realms, or walk the golden streets?”
Hebrews 6:5 speaks of having “tasted… of the powers of the age to come.” Why not pour yourself a good stiff drink of those powers and face the anxieties of what is to come? The King rules NOW. Grace, full and free, to bombard hell’s gates flows freely NOW. Why not awaken out of sleep and take on the festal robes and face it all in victory like royalty?
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Oh, this is so good. We all waste so much energy fighting what is already dead. We all need to look up. A new world is breaking the horizon. Thank you so much.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for the wake up call! I know that there was a need for healthcare reform. But did anyone think that it wasn't going to get messy? Even if the republicans had their way with it, things would have gotten ugly because the democrats would have been fighting it. I am not going to get on my soap box......right now I am seeing so many Christians getting so mean and hateful about it. I know someone who is comparing this day in our country's history to September 11. His theme is "We will not forget...." We as Christians NEED now more than ever to get on our knees and stay there to intercede for our country. I have seen some Christians get in huge arguments over this issue b/c they are on different sides. That grieves the heart of God. It is not His will for things of THIS world to bring division within His church.
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