What would it be like to eat artichokes with Jesus?
Refreshing.
Freeing.
Inviting.
I want to eat artichokes with Jesus. :-)
Anyone else?
Monday, September 14, 2009
Mysterious...
What would it be like to eat artichokes with Jesus? Each of us peeling away the layers to get to the heart. Though the layers we would pull away would be for physical nourishment, Jesus would pull away layers to release the weight of the fake selves we so proudly display. The fake 'courage' or 'security' on top of layers of 'do it your self strength' and 'outer beauty.' After peeling and peeling, Jesus would finally reveal the prize. A heart. Our hearts. Honest and real. The raw heart would be revealed without layers of protection we think we need. The layers we would be so vulnerable without.
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It seems to me that a life well-lived is one that allows Jesus to continue to strip the self-protective layers away to reveal more and more of who we were originally created to be. To me, the universal human need for the approval of others, and the steps we take to protect ourselves from the hurt and letdown that inevitably result from imperfect human love and approval, are such clear witnesses to the reality of God. The awesome reality is that as we enter into relationship with Him and start allowing Him to break through our self-protective shields, we begin to experience who we really are, as well as the perfect love we were created to experience. And that's where the fun begins!
ReplyDeleteThis is a genius! I love it!
ReplyDeleteTo take a deep, difficult look inside the core of ones being apart from Jesus is terrifying. Our culture provides various ways to prevent this intimidating self-reflection. Ironically, the self-defense mechanism of layers upon layers in our hearts and lives keep us from the most glorious truth. The truth that there is nothing sweeter than being in the presence of our glorious Savior! David proclaimed, "taste and see that the Lord is good!" (Ps. 34:8). Oh how I long for the sweetness of being with Christ in eternity. For now, as we journey on this earth, may we press on to be with Christ. May we experience the greatness of being lost, and trusting in an omniscient Almighty God. May we understand that His plan is purposeful and our desires are plentiful, but there is nothing more freeing than trusting in the soverign grace of God upon our lives.