In a way, sometimes we become preoccupied with this side of life. Hey, when my stomach starts to rumble, food becomes a priority. I think we can all agree on that one. And clothing is a pretty staple part of living. No argument there. Everyone, no matter what race or time in history you come/came from needs these things, albeit in differing ways.
The inorganic side of life, the unseen force/will that controls the physical -most of the time, is an enigma to most of us, just like the word itself. [Enigma - a puzzling or inexplicable occurrence or situation.]
But that's just it. They are so intertwined that you can't have one without the other. A physical occurrence elicits a response from our soul/mind. Something as small as a mosquito bite creates an itch and mental irritation. Or something huge like an accident elicits bigger responses. Anything. Isn't that amazing? There. Just reading this (physical words) creates a thought in your head.
This thing called Life is amazing, wonderful, hurtful, challenging, tiring, and intriguing, just to name a few.
So, here's another thought: why would God do that?
OK, let's go a little deeper now. After sin entered the world, were mankinds' responses different? Yes, I believe that is what changed.
If you would oblige me, could you read the following?
"The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. 11 For who knows a person’s thoughts except their own spirit within them? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. 12 What we have received is not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may understand what God has freely given us. 13 This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, explaining spiritual realities with Spirit-taught words. 14 The person without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God but considers them foolishness, and cannot understand them because they are discerned only through the Spirit. 15 The person with the Spirit makes judgments about all things, but such a person is not subject to merely human judgments, 16 for,
“Who has known the mind of the Lord
so as to instruct him?”
so as to instruct him?”
But we have the mind of Christ."
I Corinthians 2:10b-16
The believer gets his eyes opened to understanding, but we still have this war with our flesh. The non-believer doesn't have the Spirit to filter their decisions. Greed, pride, power, etc.; in essence, they are all related to selfishness.
OK, hang with me a little longer. I just can't leave this passage out. It explains the whole thing one step farther:
And now I'm going to go deeper. Mmm. Just take a moment. Take a few deep breathes in and out, and listen with the Spirit of God to one last thought:
"Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will." Romans 12:2
Do not conform. To the pattern of this world. Selfishness. Giving in to my fleshly desires. They can be strong sometimes and can hurt others or others have been hurt by it.
This thing called Life.
There's more than meets the eye, huh? It doesn't happen overnight. But there's freedom, joy, fulfilled needed desires, and in one way you could say the "nirvana" of real Christianity.
I think the Holy Spirit works overtime with wordless groans for all of us sometimes. But He is seeking those who want to renew their minds.
This journey of starting Believer's Bridge has certainly been a test of not conforming to this world. Loss of home, loss of steady income, and living in an RV for about 2 years total has been a transformation all right.
I know many of you have been going through your own journey, and I love the intertwining of our journies together to the glory of God as we wait for the redemption of our bodies.
Don't give up. It will be hard, because the flesh groans for the things of this world.
Romans 8:28
