One of the amazing and little experienced truths Jesus taught is this: He came to give us the abundant life.
It sounds pretty straight forward, but we rarely touch this true life, this eternal kind of life. We often settle for something less than true fellowship with the Spirit, true intimacy with the Father, true identification with the Son. We settle for the humdrum life of this world when infinitely more is offered to us.
Even in Christian circles we redefine the abundant life as something less than it really is. We make it roughly synonymous with the American Dream. We make it about relational harmony or financial security, or access to modern conveniences and creature comforts. The eternal kind of life is much deeper than just these superficial aspects of our lives.
Jesus gives us a glimpse of it when he invited all who are thirsty to come to Him and drink, and then issued the audacious promise that, if we do, the Holy Spirit will bubble up within us and flow out of us. We will be filled to overflowing with the power and presence of God. He said that we would do even greater things than He did.
Is that your experience?
It is rarely mine, but I have tasted it. I tasted it again on my last trip to Asia. I felt God's presence and was privileged to partner with Him. I watched in awe as He revealed Himself too me and then through me to others. I literally saw supernatural miracles happen. I lived for 10 days in the awareness of His presence and power.
Then I got on a plane and flew home. I feared that this trip would be an anomaly and that I had no choice but to return to my normal life. But the real beauty of this trip is that He has come home with me. He has continued to meet with me and to speak to me. He has continued to partner with me and has encouraged me to keep living like this.
So, I am choosing to cultivate the lifestyle that I had on the trip. Less extraneous noise. More time spent intentionally seeking Him. Recognizing my fears and insecurities that keep me from willingly submitting all to Him, and humbly laying these too at His feet.
I am finding that the "mountain top" isn't a place you go, but a presence you cultivate.
I have caught myself returning to old patterns of thinking and asking. I have been distracted by the inane and mundane that calls itself news. I have allowed myself to lose focus and live again as if this world is all there is. I have been drawn to escape or to binge, but my brief forays into the mundane leave me wondering. Why in the world would I choose that when so much more is available to me?
Why do we?
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4 comments:
"I am finding that the "mountain top" isn't a place you go, but a presence you cultivate." Love it. Thank you.
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Thank you for your encouragement. I am glad that you found the site, and hope that you will continue to be blessed!
Ted says: I am experiencing the same challenges of trying to keep focus and cultivating that presence which not only guides but strengthens me. I am encouraged when I read that Jesus seemed to have the same challenge but addressed it head on by getting away frequently to pray through the night. His time with the Father was a tremendous source of strength. I am working on scheduling and making time for listening and experiencing His Presence in my life. It is not easy for me, but when i focus and ask for help from the Holy
Spirit, it becomes a reality more frequently. I'm not close to being there yet, but I'm cultivating. Blessings!
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