Posted by giveawayboy on February 15, 2003 at 16:04:18:
In Reply to: identity, yeah and humility and other stuff posted by giveawayboy on February 15, 2003 at 15:47:24:
more on seeing Christ
the way we see Christ, w the spiritual eyes he gives to us, is a corollary to something else, transformation. if we are truly seeing Christ, it changes us. the true vision of God is through a purging fire. if we seek him and gaze on him in our understanding, in our wills, etc. he changes us as part of the same process. there might be levels and layers of it. it might not all happen in an instant, but we can't apply earth time constructs to this Cristic reality. the fact of Christ's existence must constantly shatter and rebuild all our concepts of time and space. He merely exists. He superabundantly exists. We perceive him throughout the matrix of time and space as we know it. The beholding is an acknowledgement of his participation in time and space as well as his superstance beyond it's control. But when we see Christ, we get transformed. That's what I really wanted to say. For years Christians have practiced this 'gazing' through various forms of prayer. Art has helped too. But this has more to do with an inner eye than in mere images. This is the image par excellence. This is the image that spoke and created things outside itself. Seeing Christ demands change. Seeing Christ is also something which we can practice.
Here's an exercise. Pick a day. Throughout this day, pick a trigger. It can be something you normally do. It can be a phone ringing, it can be getting a drink or it can be a time when certain thoughts come into your head. Whenever you encounter your trigger, bring all your thoughts willfully to Christ. Allow them to linger there. Ask yourself, which things in the last few hours have impressed you somehow. Ask yourself what kinds of things these things show you about Christ. Or ask Christ to show you something about how those things relate to him. The main thing is that whether or not any of this makes sense, you will be exercising the muscle in you that 'beholds Christ'. You will be exercising your eyes of faith so to speak. You can actually practice this.
Here's an example from my daily life. I don't know what it is about 'birds' and 'animals' but God seems to speak through 'birds' alot in my life. Usually it's when I'm going through something like a new step in my life. I have often seen birds with food in their mouth. Or birds carrying twigs to build nests w. God usually will use these symbols to say something to me about how he provides for us. And still he uses it to show how those birds, though not worried about anything, still work hard to find their food and build their nests. So it is a double lesson about God's faithfulness and also our diligence. This is just one example.
Maybe one of you will see a lady with a red scarf, or see an orange smushed on the sidewalk or perhaps a kid playing with a football or something and God might show you something through that. The main thing is that it doesn't have to be fancy. You don't even need to post about it. It is just that in those moments where you become aware of it, you allow all your thoughts to go to Christ and linger with him for as long as they can. The more you practice this VERY ATTAINABLE PRACTICE in your daily lie will become, the more robust your walk w Christ will become. This doesn't negate doubt. Doubt will still exist. This doesn't mean that you will have this super-holy lifestyle. What it means is that you are making progress in your spiritual life. This is definitely attainable. It is MORE THAN POSSIBLE. It is something that disciples have been doing for years.
So, remember when you look at ANYTHING, look for Christ who is present to us at all times and in all places. Look for him and direct your thoughts to him. It will change your life. remember, the more we see him, the more we are changed into his image.
Bill