Sometimes I imagine my Christianity as if I am a caterpillar cloaked in a cocoon waiting for the day when I will break through the membrane into true reality…the presence of God…as a beautiful butterfly created for the glory of God.
I have heard it spoken of Charles Spurgeon, who wrapped up in pre-sermon prayer, felt as if he was in the very throne room of God, and was disappointed when he opened his eyes and found himself still standing in his pulpit. I feel that way. How distracted my heart is Oh God!! At times in prayer and worship, I find myself imagining that I am with the saints in heaven gathered around the great God we adore, praising him and shouting with all our might how great, and wonderful, and terrible, and majestic, and lovely God is. At those times I feel as if I am straining at the membranes of my earthly cocoon and breaking through to see the joys of the real world. But then I come out of the throne room of God—I sink back into my cocoon—and believe it or not, I start to think that it is pretty cozy in this earthly shell. The cares of work, paying bills, entertainment, and school come over me, and I am distracted from worship. I don’t want to be that way. Truly, my greatest joy is found when I am straining at the walls of this shell—completely enthralled by the presence of my God!!
I am like a man waiting in a graveyard. My God has dug up my grave and breathed in me the breath of life. I have been told by Him that there is a wonderful world outside this graveyard waiting for me, but I have to stay here for a while helping to unearth others and describe to them what I have learned about the beauty outside the cemetery. But I am distracted…I look at the grave next to me of someone who is yet in their coffin, and I begin to covet their headstone, or the nice flowers someone planted there. Or maybe the grass over their coffin is green, while all I have is an empty hole: the remains of a grave that has been opened. How foolish!!
God, how I am distracted! Captivate my heart!
Psalm 84
I have heard it spoken of Charles Spurgeon, who wrapped up in pre-sermon prayer, felt as if he was in the very throne room of God, and was disappointed when he opened his eyes and found himself still standing in his pulpit. I feel that way. How distracted my heart is Oh God!! At times in prayer and worship, I find myself imagining that I am with the saints in heaven gathered around the great God we adore, praising him and shouting with all our might how great, and wonderful, and terrible, and majestic, and lovely God is. At those times I feel as if I am straining at the membranes of my earthly cocoon and breaking through to see the joys of the real world. But then I come out of the throne room of God—I sink back into my cocoon—and believe it or not, I start to think that it is pretty cozy in this earthly shell. The cares of work, paying bills, entertainment, and school come over me, and I am distracted from worship. I don’t want to be that way. Truly, my greatest joy is found when I am straining at the walls of this shell—completely enthralled by the presence of my God!!
I am like a man waiting in a graveyard. My God has dug up my grave and breathed in me the breath of life. I have been told by Him that there is a wonderful world outside this graveyard waiting for me, but I have to stay here for a while helping to unearth others and describe to them what I have learned about the beauty outside the cemetery. But I am distracted…I look at the grave next to me of someone who is yet in their coffin, and I begin to covet their headstone, or the nice flowers someone planted there. Or maybe the grass over their coffin is green, while all I have is an empty hole: the remains of a grave that has been opened. How foolish!!
God, how I am distracted! Captivate my heart!
Psalm 84
How lovely is your dwelling place, O LORD of hosts! 2 My soul longs, yes, faints for the courts of the LORD; my heart and flesh sing for joy to the living God. 3 Even the sparrow finds a home, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young, at your altars, O LORD of hosts, my King and my God. 4 Blessed are those who dwell in your house, ever singing your praise! Selah
10 For a day in your courts is better than a thousand elsewhere. I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of wickedness. 11 For the LORD God is a sun and shield; the LORD bestows favor and honor. No good thing does he withhold from those who walk uprightly. 12 O LORD of hosts, blessed is the one who trusts in you!
10 For a day in your courts is better than a thousand elsewhere. I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of wickedness. 11 For the LORD God is a sun and shield; the LORD bestows favor and honor. No good thing does he withhold from those who walk uprightly. 12 O LORD of hosts, blessed is the one who trusts in you!
