HAPPY NEW YEARS! I’m having a wow kind of thought, like one of those mind-blowing, world-changing, paradigm-shifting revelations. It isn’t as if I haven’t seen this in parts but this is certainly an increase of what I have seen. For some reason, right now, it’s all new and fresh. And if I let it take me over, I will never be the same.
I am seeing that all our interactions in this world are with Christ. I don’t interact with individuals or circumstances; I interact with Christ. Because I am Christ’s and in Christ, all my life is now His. Jesus is owner of all that involves me,including all that interacts with me. I don’t relate with man and matter, I commune with Christ. This is a Matrix-level wow! I am not involved with others; now that I am His, I’m involved with Him.
All Things With Christ
For most of my entire 50 years of living on this earth I have struggled and wrestled with this reality. I have thrashed about and wounded myself as a result. When I have looked to man to be my source and to meet my need, their responses to my demand have torn and shredded my soul. Today, more than any other day, I am seeing that this shredding was the tearing of my flesh by The Lion, not the man. If we fixate and attempt to milk sustenance out of relationships and people, we will be thwarted at every turn. We are rejected and not received, mocked and not embraced. And rightly so. When we look to the created rather than our Creator to be our supply, what we meet is the jealousy of God. And for this I am overwhelmingly glad and exceedingly grateful. It is the saving of our lives.
It is foolish to look to man to supply what Christ Himself wants to provide. To do so is to wander about as an abandoned orphan. But Jesus wants to rescue us from the isolation of idolatry and lead us into worship of Him. God doesn’t want to leave us friendless and without fellowship; He just wants to be that friend focus. Wow! As long as I was fixated on a human source, I was devastated within my human need. Leaving the foolishness of seeking human supply gives me the ability to enjoy constant union with Christ.
With Christ or You
I’m not walking on this earth disconnected from any human interaction. But the focus and vision of that interaction is about Jesus rather than my connecting with others. And although my interaction may appear externally the same, my heart is in a completely different place. One position looks to people as my source, while the other is looking to Christ in the relationship. I am telling you, the difference is complete joy and fulfillment.
Here is the skinny of this scenario. Instinctively we hate those who have power over us. If you have my supply, I hate you and the power you have over me. We resent those we need. But if Jesus is using you to meet my need, and I am not looking to you, I can enjoy you and have fellowship and union with Him.
For from Him and through Him and to Him are ALL things. [For ALL things originate with Him and come from Him; ALL things live through Him, and ALL things center in and tend to consummate and to end in Him.] To Him be glory forever! Amen (so be it).
Romans 11:36 AMP
Hi, John, what a beautiful article, thank you. Jesus has promised us, that He would be with us always, and in 1Thess.5, 9-10 we read: but God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ who died for us, that wheter we wake or sleep, we should live together with Him. Although it seems simple, to really live toghether with Him requires some effort! What really helps me in remembering this wonderful reality is: speaking to Him instead of to myself during the day. But I’m only a beginner, sometimes discouraged in my… Read more »
Oh, Brother Lawrence’s Practicing the Presence of God has become an old friend. I go back every few months and reread it. No, it is not an easy practice but certainly a worth pursuit, huh?! It reminds me of the Amplified Bible’s translation of Genesis 5:24 about Enoch. “And Enoch walked [in habitual fellowship] with God; and he was not, for God took him [home with Him].” May we all walk in habitual fellowship with Him. Plus I think your habit of talking to Jesus rather than yourself is great. He is so much better a conversationalist than me….? Blessings… Read more »
Hmmm…a red pill! After this, there is no turning back! Thanks Morpheus!!!
? Love you Sandy!
If we remain fixated on Him, everything else falls in place. I love this post. Thank you, John. Happy New Year
Thank you Wanda, yes stable and fixed. Love you and Happy New Year to you as well!
Even the mundane becomes holy and spiritual when I do it with Him. The smallest everyday task or simple social interaction He invites me to do with Him is of more beauty and of more eternal consequence than anything I could perform without Him.
John, your statement, “And although my interaction may appear externally the same, my heart is in a completely different place”, describes wonderfully how this mindset of “All Things With Christ” can cause an amazing Matrix-level revolution in our lives.
Well put! Yes, the mundane is intended to be holy and spiritual. It is amazing that common tasks can be eternal when His Life performs them. Quite an adventure and abundant privilege. Bless you Margo, thank you for commenting! Happy New Year!
This has been my lifelong experience, the experience and mystery of which I have been relentlessly pained by. Thank you, God for being the words of your own revealing through, John. Thank you, John for being His. I sense the rain of reconciliation and renewing that so many of us have lived in desperate need of for years. To everything there is a season. Rain on our souls, Lord. Reign.
Your words are very encouraging! I am trusting that this rain will come. Renewal and regeneration under His true Reigning. Blessings and love!
Oh my gosh! Oh my gosh! You have blown me out of the water! I’m laughing at the joy of it!
Kiss kiss,hug hug!
Kaboom! ?? Perfect, glad you have been, it blew me away too.
John, I join you in asking for this “my focus and interaction is about Jesus” as I have from my young life focused on looking for love in all the wrong places. Starting with looking to my parents, acquaintances and then beloved friends, as you have so poignantly shared there is fellowship and joy in the relationship that is centered in Christ.
May HE continue to bless you with HIS heart and desire to bless others.
Blessings and love Sue, standing with you and your family. Praying Christ will be seen evident and true as His presence carries you through this season. He is the center!