Unbreakable Joy: Hiding In? Or Merely Dipping Toes?

Friday, July 30, 2010

Hiding In? Or Merely Dipping Toes?

It seems that I have not been hiding in the Sovereignty of God as much as I had thought I was. It seems rather that I was just dipping my toes into the magnificent waterfall that is the inconceivable power and wisdom of God.

It is a terrifying thing, completely other-worldly and like nothing I've ever experienced. The fury of the falling water is so loud that it takes my breath away. It is overwhelmingly clear that these are dangerous waters, yet they are also strangely inviting. The message was delivered to my heart without language and it echoed through the corridors of my heart, "Come away with me." I tremble at the fury, yet at the very same time I long for more of it. Fear grips me so tightly that I cannot even speak and in the same moment I am drawn so sweetly that I cannot back away.

The beckoning resounds from deep within the heart of the raging waterfall. I cannot resist. Why remain content to have wet feet when my entire body and my very soul longs to be soaked in and surrounded by this majesty.

Years of walking in the sinking sand of the idea that I was in control have left me weary and almost completely unable to trust. Yet the feel of the quicksand beneath my feet deposited some deceitful comfort in the notion that I have at least some level of control.

The choice is so crystal clear as to make any deliberating completely foolish. Who would continue to dwell in the sinking sand of self-wrought control when there is a massive rock upon which to gain an unshakable hold. Yet this immovable foundation is only found deep behind the unending waterfall.

My thoughts are engaged in combat with each other. On the one hand I can remain here in the familiar, and on the other I could charge head long into the depths of the unknown. An illusion of security in this land where everything and everyone sinks into oblivion, or an unfathomed security in the midst of the everlasting explosion that is the absolute sovereignty of God?

Eventual oblivion in the land of the forgotten or eternal significance found only by beholding and ever enjoying He who alone is eternally significant? Is there really even a question?

How could it be that I would abide one more second without throwing myself into the waters? What is it that keeps me at bay?

It is decided; or rather it has been decided. May all the days perish when I imagined that my life would be best secured in my own hands. Having let go of everything, in order that I may truly grasp everything, I close my eyes, hold my breath, and charge violently into the furious downpour.

2 comments:

Brian G. Hedges said...: This may be the most moving post you've ever written.; July 31, 2010 at 11:53 AM
Unbreakable Joy said...: ???

I questioned if I should even have posted it...

But thanks for the kind words.; July 31, 2010 at 5:14 PM

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Noteworthy Quotes

Christianity preaches the infinite worth of that which is seemingly so worthless and the infinite worthlessness of that which is seemingly so valued.
- Dietrich Bonhoeffer

I saw more clearly than ever, that the first great and primary business to which I ought to attend every day was, to have my soul happy in the Lord.
- George Mueller

If I find in myself a desire which no experience in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that I was made for another world.
- C.S. Lewis

A pharisee is hard on others and easy on himself, a spiritual man is hard on himself and easy on others.
- A. W. Tozer

Our hearts are restless until we find our rest in Thee.
- Augustine

All men seek happiness. This is without exception. Whatever different means they employ, they all tend to this end. The cause of some going to war, and of others avoiding it, is the same desire in both, attended with different views. The will never takes the least step but to this object. This is the motive of every action of every man, even of those who hang themselves.
- Blaise Pascal

He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.
- Jim Elliot

Indeed, if we consider the unblushing promises of reward and the staggering nature of the rewards promised in the Gospels, it would seem that Our Lord finds our desires not too strong, but too weak. We are half-hearted creatures, fooling about with drink and sex and ambition when infinite joy is offered us, like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea. We are far too easily pleased.
- C. S. Lewis

He loves Thee too little, who loves anything together with Thee, which he loves not for Thy sake.
- Augustine

The men of this world are children. Offer a child an apple or a bank note, and he will doubtless choose the apple.
- John Newton

In the end the heart longs not for any of God's good gifts, but for God Himself. To see Him and know Him and be in His presence is the soul's final feast. Beyond this there is no quest. Words fail. We call it pleasure, joy, delight. But these are weak pointers to the unspeakable experience.
- John Piper

God cannot give us happiness and peace apart from Him, because it is not there. There is no such thing.
- C.S. Lewis

It is well that we accept the hard truth now: The man who would know God must give time to Him. He must count no time wasted which is spent in the cultivation of His acquaintance. He must give himself to meditation and prayer hours on end. So did the saints of old, the glorious company of the apostles, the Godly fellowship of the prophets and the believing members of the holy church in all generations. And so must we if we would follow in their train.
- A.W. Tozer

If God contains the fullness of all good things in Himself like an inexhaustible fountain, nothing beyond him is to be sought by those who strike after the highest good and all the elements of happiness.
- John Calvin

God is most glorified in you when you are most satisfied in Him.
- John Piper

God glorifies Himself toward the creature in two ways; by appearing to their understanding, and in communicating Himself to thief hearts and their rejoicing in and delighting in Him, and enjoying manifestations He makes of Himself. God is Glorified not only by His glories being seen, but by it’s being rejoiced in. When those that see it delight in it God is more glorified than if they only see it. His glory is then received by the whole soul, both by the understanding and by the heart. God made the world that he might communicate and the creature receive His glory, and that it might be received both by the mind and the heart. He that testifies His idea of God’s glory doesn’t glorify God so much as he that testifies also his approbation of it and his delight in it.
- Jonathan Edwards