Good morning…
I love living life semester by semester. Good book by good book. Soulful conversation by soulful conversation.
This week, we enjoyed our final class parties for our Wednesday afternoon group and our Thursday morning crew. As “soul friends” studying Practicing the Way by John Mark Comer, we have heard Jesus’ invitation, “Follow me.”
Out loud we read these words.
“When you do the math, you may conclude that, yes, following Jesus will cost you – a lot. But here’s the thing: Not following Jesus will cost you even more. It will cost you life with God, the very purpose for which you were created. It will cost you access to the inner life of the Trinity, the ‘peace…which transcends all understanding,’ and the ‘joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory.'”
“People often complain about how hard the spiritual life is,” continues Comer. “And the honest truth is, yes, it is. But what’s missing from the diagnosis is that the unspiritual life is even harder.”
“Life is hard, with or without God,” Comer concludes. “But what’s really hard – nearly unbearable for some – is facing the pain and suffering of life apart from God. So is trying to save yourself rather than be saved.” (214-215)
I guess it all comes down to this. Am I willing to give as much of myself as I understand to as much of God as I understand right now?
As this semester ends, here is where we all begin.
This mystery has been kept in the dark for a long time, but now it’s out in the open. God wanted everyone, not just Jews, to know this rich and glorious secret inside and out, regardless of their background, regardless of their religious standing. The mystery in a nutshell is just this: Christ is in you, so therefore you can look forward to sharing in God’s glory (Colossians 1:27, MSG).
As our Creator forms within us an authentic answer, will we rest in or resist?
Resting is hard. Resisting is harder.
…Sue…
