More Thoughts on Suffering and Hope 9/26/09

So, how is it that genuine hope, hope that doesn't disappoint, comes as a result of suffering. That's not logical is it? Why must it be forged in a season of suffering?

These are the thoughts I've had with the Lord today on this:

A paradigm shift is required in order to learn to live life from the inside out. When we come into the world, we take in all of our experiences and understanding from the outside world via our senses. We assimilate those experiences with our natural minds and we build perspectives and opinions based on those experiences and the understandings we come to as a result of interpreting those experiences with our intellect. Our entire world view and reference point for all that we are and how to relate to the world around us is entirely self-made.

Because we are born spiritually dead, we are left with nothing but human reasoning in developing our paradigms and references for life. When we are born again and receive the Spirit of God, our Spirit man is made alive again and we now have an internal source for wisdom and life. The only problem is that we have already been conditioned and programmed to interpret life without the Spirit.

I think that in order to learn to live life from the spirit man as opposed to our natural understanding, we must travel through seasons where our human intellect and natural hope dies. Those paradigms must be given opportunity to "self-destruct" so that we can make room for the paradigms and realities of a life lived in conjunction with the indwelling Spirit of God.

Suffering is obviously not fun and based on the nature and character of God, I KNOW that He only permits it because of the incredible benefits. As our natural hope dies we are able to embrace life as the indwelling Spirit intends it to be. A life of rest and peace based in intimacy and sweet dependence on God.

I love the scripture from Deuteronomy 33:12 that says, "let the beloved of the Lord rest secure between His shoulders." What a beautiful picture of intimacy, rest and trust. But, the Lord is not a physical presence in our lives, so how is it that we can learn to experience this and live in that place of continual intimacy with God? How is it that we can really experience that type of rest and closeness with Him?

It is only in having Him Shepherd us into new paradigms of the heart and mind that teach and enable us to live in continual fellowship with the indwelling spirit of God. Here is our rest, here is our hope, here is the intimacy that we all long for. Living life in the abiding presence our loving King. He's made His home in our hearts and He longs to reveal what that means and the wonderful intimacy that provides. Will we journey with Him into the frightening places of letting go of our self-made paradigms and into real life with His Spirit?