February 22, 2012 Blog post: In Christ: Living the Victory
In my vivid dream of owning an elegant aircraft designed to
accommodate the needs of hurting people to restore them to redemptive health
(see blog of February 19, 2012: In Christ: Living the Victory), I chafed at the
confinement to “living” life in even as extravagant surroundings and satisfying
ministry as the “Airbus” offered.
While soaring above earth’s atmosphere in my very own, Holy
Spirit-powered aircraft, separated from worldly distractions and potentially
destructive involvements and
living life filled with a divine atmosphere of healing love, I struggled with
its “restrictions.” For example, of not being able to hike the hills of
Tennessee, smell the fragrance of trees and flowers, share time with friends,
etc.
Of course, as I thought about it, I realized that any
“parable” has its limitations in scope of meaning and principles it teaches.
Living in such an atmosphere of divine love that would take all kinds of people
into my “heart” to pray for them, show kindness to them, lift them before the
throne of God in compassion, did not mean that other aspects of life were
literally eliminated entirely.
Having said that, however, there is a powerful principle
that propels a productive life IN CHRIST, requiring separation from lesser “distractions” and unto divine purpose.
The apostle Paul declared that Christ made us alive together
with Christ…and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly
places, IN CHRIST Jesus (Eph. 2:5-6). Then he admonished all believers: "If then you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking
the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on the things above, not
on the things that are on earth. For you have died and your life is hidden with
Christ in God (Col. 3:1-3NAS).
So, while I can enjoy roaming the hills with my Laddie dog
and spending quality time with friends, cleaning my house and buying groceries,
etc., there is a certain focus
required for the privilege of “caring” for the people God sends into our lives
– into the chambers of our heart where we can minister His divine life and
healing to their needs in the ways He empowers us to do. Only in “setting
our minds” on things above can we be aware of His heart toward hurting people
and live the reality of life IN CHRIST, filled with His compassion for people
whose lives we touch in so many ways.
It is truly a divine blessing to “soar above” the world in
an atmosphere of divine love that equips us to be victorious as we face the
challenges of daily life and attempt to bring the kingdom of God to earth in
the lives of others.
Blessings for the
journey.
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