During the fall, I was having a lot of trouble just settling with God. I couldn't really get myself to dive into a book to study or even into a time of prayer, because I was just restless. Not to say that I haven't had any solid time with the Lord in the past three months - because I've still had some incredible moments with Him, and I've still spent a lot of time in the Word - but it's just felt kind of "off" somehow. BUT in the midst of all that, Revelation has been coming up again and again, ever since the summer, and it's been speaking to me powerfully. So as I start this study, I'm encouraged to find that I finally feel very committed. I can't wait to dive in and to dive in deep. He has brought Revelation back to me so often and in such meaningful ways that I can't possibly deny that this is what He desires for me right now.
Plus, I'm really excited that I'm now also studying Revelation with a girl that I mentor (she felt particularly called to read through it as well, which is another cool affirmation), so I get to combine all the awesome insight from her, from Darrell, from you all, AND from the LORD.
And another thing I'm excited about is how much the LORD has been revealing Himself to me using imagery in everyday life. Over the summer, I went through a period where I had started to internalize everything, and I felt a profound lack of joy because I wasn't experiencing anything anymore. Reid encouraged me to start intentionally taking in the blessings of my God with all five senses, and to look for the depth there beyond just the sensory perception. And now, in light of Revelation, I've started that practice again, and it's so exciting to rediscover the depth that's there - just "behind the veil" - when I stop to just see, smell, listen, touch, taste.
I keep thinking about Jenna's boat name from this past summer - "This is Real Life." I never gave that name much thought until the very last weekend, when it finally hit me that this is real life! This incredible place where I rest in the support and love of nine of my dearest friends, serving and pouring myself out, while watching Him move powerfully in the lives of students, is real life. It's reality as it's intended to be - or at least a pretty good taste of it. And now Revelation drives home that message even more so. This crazy kaleidoscope image that John paints for us is reality, because in reality the Son is eternally glorified with the Father and He is already reigning supremely.
Guys, heaven is busting out at the seams! The kingdom is here!
I feel like I'm on a football team, about to run out of the tunnel, break through the paper banner, and experience The Revelation of Jesus Christ by Jesus Christ about Jesus Christ in the Word and in my life. This post and the ones before it are like pep talks, juicing me up, getting me ready to bust through and see whats on the other side. I'm excited. And I'm excited to do it with this team. Thanks for sharing Pearl, this is indeed real life!
ReplyDeleteYour post reminded me of these two verses --
ReplyDeleteI Corinthians 13:13 - And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.
Colossians 1:5 - the faith and love that spring from the hope that is stored up for you in heaven and that you have already heard about in the word of truth, the gospel.
Speaking of real life I think it was Einstein that said, (paraphrase) "physical reality as we know it is an illusion. Albeit a very persistent one."
Speaking of real life - Axel Rose back in the '80's with Slash and the G&R glam band crew wrote a whole album called "Use your Illusion."
Your post reminds me that Christ seeks to destroy the illusion and firmly fix the eyes of our hearts on that which is real and eternal - FAITH HOPE and LOVE.
I am challenged by the study today to let go of the illusion/magic of this world -- cars, status, recognition and self-justification and cling to that which remains for eternity - Faith, hope, and love. To capture these precepts (faith, hop, in love) in a person to "Adamize" them I SIMPLY need to cling to Christ in me, the hope of glory (Colossians 1:27)
So simple. But as many of you have reminded me over the years now, simple doesn't always mean easy.
Thanks Pearl.
Steve, can i borrow your Gun's & Roses Tape? Test for email comment
ReplyDeleteI think you're totally about to break through the senses Pearl. To take those five and to throw it on an Island just as John basically did. To be so intune with those five and then to have Christ break through them with something more. Think of the descriptions and similes in Revelations 1:9-20. Totally a great example. Also Johnson describes it well. The "there is more to reality than meets the unaided senses." I too am challenged by doing this. The description on page 19 about what John might say really pushes me to wonder and to be in wonder past my five senses!
ReplyDeleteTrevor
Stoked. We are in this now - it is real. Behind the veil we will be overwhelmed, yes. AND behind the veil we are presently being overwhelmed - and THIS is what it is all about (as it is blowing my mind that the kingdom is beautifully coming, yes, but it's also here and NOW)!
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