What is the life I am responding to?
The life of life is that which I find abundantly by trusting the bibles claims that Jesus is the Son of God and answer to humanities biggest problem: rebellion to its maker which justly results in death. And here enters my first big big big caveat: the bible is Gods word. 'No prophecy of Scripture comes from one’s own interpretation, because no prophecy ever came by the will of man; instead, men spoke from God as they were moved by the Holy Spirit' (2 Peter 1:20-21). If you don't hold this belief, then the belief you hold is that I'm misguided and foolish - as 'the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but it is God’s power to us who are being saved' (1 Corinthians 1:18). If this is you, let me suggest at the very least that you read the bible before you judge it - taste test it first so you at least give yourself the dignity of using your mind. But enough of that.
So this life - now - what's the meaning of it? Well, the purpose of humanity is put on view in the big picture by Paul in Acts 17:26-28: 'From one man He has made every nation of men to live all over the earth and has determined their appointed times and the boundaries of where they live, so that they might seek God, and perhaps they might reach out and find Him though He is not far from each one of us'. Mugs are made to drink coffee from; toothpaste is made to stop decay; people are made to seek and find God. Every part of how we're made is geared towards understanding God, in a step of God-glorifying faith.
Thanks be to God that He has made Himself so clear through His trustworthy life-giving word in the person of Jesus! In John 11:25 Jesus says 'I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in Me, even if he dies, will live. Everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die - ever.'
Why am I responding to it?
Well, because I truly believe it. As far as I'm concerned, it's not just a worldview, its a reality. That really matters. So God has put me here with the purpose of seeking Him, so that now I've found Him in the person of Jesus Christ I respond. My response doesn't merit anything before God but is a reaction to what I'm given in Jesus. I was once 'alienated and hostile in my mind because of my evil actions. But now He has reconciled me by His physical body through His death, to present me holy, faultless, and blameless before Him— if indeed I remain grounded and steadfast in the faith and are not shifted away from the hope of the gospel that I heard. This gospel has been proclaimed in all creation under heaven.' (Col 1:21-23)
I'm forgiven. And my response is to offer my life by saying thankyou thankyou thankyou to the bestest biggest gift I could ever receive. I am responding to finding God - I am following Him. The shape of how I follow Him is where reading the bible to work that out and ask Him for help in prayer through His Holy Spirit come in. And it is the pondering of this is where my blog also fits!
Why ponder?
We are all the same in Christ, but our lives are vastly different so the working out of the shape of thankfulness can look different. This blog is a place for me to 'ponder' on that as a mum, wife, daughter, neighbour, friend, citizen etc. Pondering on His word helps me keep my ears open to hearing God speak, my heart open to being responsive to it, and my words open to speaking it for the benefit of myself and others. 'A wise heart instructs its mouth and increases learning with its speech' (Proverbs 16:23).
And another little selfish reason for blogging... I'm a creative external processor - so the need to lash out my proverbial paints at this blank screen is immensely helpful to reign in some clarity, and give life to some ideas. Both the bold throws of colour and intricate line detailing allows me to process my emotions and experiences in light of the truth revealed in Gods word. For, 'He brought me up from a desolate pit, out of the muddy clay, and set my feet on a rock, making my steps secure' ...so 'let all who seek You rejoice and be glad in You; let those who love Your salvation continually say, “The Lord is great!” (Psalm 40:2,16).
And now, ladies and gentlemen, let me invite you to step in and wonder through my art gallery with my life's work on view - welcome to the 'Emaginarium' of my responderings...
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