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!
9 comments:
Thanks man encouraging my spirit. I too struggle with the same thing. It is amazing how much we busy ourselves with our cocoon even though we fully know and greatly anticipate the day it is thrown away. O Great God in highest heaven, occupy my lowly heart...
don't be ashamed bray9...
finish it - SG proud!
of course, i know you closeters like to keep it down so as not to bear the consequences awaiting the more vocal...so i'll oblige you.
(cause we both know this song is way to sweet not to finish, right?)
own it all and reign supreme -
conquer every rebel power.
let no vice or sin remain
that resists your holy war;
you have loved and purchased me
make me yours forevermore.
i was blinded by my sin -
had no ears to hear your voice.
did not know your love within -
had no taste for heaven's joys;
then your Spirit gave me life -
opened up your Word to me
through the gospel of Your Son,
gave me endless hope and peace.
help me now to live a life
that's dependent on your grace;
keep my heart and guard my soul
from the evil that i face.
You are worthy to be praised
with my every thought and deed;
O great God of highest heaven
glorify your name through me.
good stuff, boys.
lift holy hands to heaven...
Thanks for the full text Scott...I was going to point out my favorite verse, but then I remembered that none of them can be skipped. I do have to say that I especially love verse two. Where would we be without God's grace?
Is the pink cloud surrounding the guy suppose to represent God's presence? Is that your kind of theology Rob? Do you think God is a big pink fuzzy cloud? Yeah, I thought so.
Baylor, I have to expect comments such as yours from feeble minds.
a prophetic utterance.
Rob,
Great thoughts. I appreciate your comments on prayer, along with the graveyard analogy. To me, the picture is real b/c that is who we are.
JA
Hey Julie, it was so good to see you this weekend! It was great fun- wish it could have lasted longer!!! I have a picture on my blog of us. Hope to see you again sometime.
I think you have captured it exactly. How we desire the things of this earth and yet, all they are is a bunch or dirt and grass that will destroyed.
Thanks for your reminder!
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