Friday, June 18, 2010

The Interwoven Life of Us ©

I've already raised two teenagers. I am currently raising two with another waiting in the wings to start her journey in about six weeks. Regardless of their gender they've shared a generic phrase during life encounters; "I know".

My teenagers think they know alot more than they really know. That is until life proves otherwise.

It's really not just a commonality with teenagers. It was true for the "learned" in Jesus' day.
It's true for me too.

Knowledge became my goal. I believed that if I learned enough about God I would be loved. At least I would prove my allegiance, hopefully pleasing Him. Had I lived in the days when Jesus walked the earth I think I too would have been a good Pharisee.

Once I came to the end of my quest it was there I found love.

As I considered this paradox the other day Jesus sweetly began to reveal to me what knowledge had done to my life.

"Knowledge puffs up, Jewel." "It's often the hindrance to the encounter." "It's not about trying to understand me to know what I want from you." "It's about being open to receive me as I am in you."

"You've spent most of your life trying to understand me so that you could be like me.... do all the right things, make all the right choices..."

"That's not it, Jewel". "That will take you into a life of knowledge much like the men of my day." "They thought they knew so much about my Abba, yet they didn't have a clue about Me." They didn't see me for who I was." "They were looking for something they had learned." "I was there in their midst, yet they didn't see me." "Their knowledge puffed them up and kept them blind."

"Knowing about Me and living in Me are two very different creatures." "One requires Me, the other requires you." "Seek me to know me in you, not to know about me to imitate me." "You cannot imitate me." "I've lived my life, now you must live yours..." "It's the life of you and I interwoven together as one."

"As the Father was in me, so I am in you." "The Father was reflected in me as I lived our life together." "It's the same for you, Jewel." "Dependence is the key." "Knowledge just puffs up."

"Encounter me in you." "That's the ticket." "The people of my day had me right in the scope of their eyes and they had no clue." "They could have encountered my Abba through me, but they didn't."

"I'm in the scope of your eyes, too Jewel. I'm in you." "Live out of that." "Don't try to figure it all out yourself." "You'll never figure it out." "It is my Spirit which was given to you that reveals all things." "Listen to My Spirit within you." "He will guide you into all truth." "You need Him in order to live this life." "Don't forget that."

Jesus told the disciples that He had to leave in order for something better to come to indwell them. No longer is Jesus on the outside living His life. His Spirit now lives in me. His Spirit waits to reveal what that looks like, allowing me to live from the inside out.

Maybe that's why Jesus told us to become like little children. Little children look to their parents to guide them. They need.

It's in the need that I am finding my release. I can't figure out this life. I have no clue. Honestly I don't want to have a clue anymore. After all, having my own ideas kept me from the beauty of encounters.

The Spirit of the living God resides in me. He was sent to comfort, guide, counsel, teach. I have access to Him every moment of every day. It is He who guides me into all truth. No longer do I have to lean on my own understanding. I don't have to get it right or figure it all out. I am now invited to need Him to live. By His Spirit alone I live and move and have my being.

Life bearing encounters are making their way into my life as I awaken to this beautiful Spirit that chooses to make His home in me. As He engages with me in the moments of life I am finding my way into the stunning discovery of this interwoven life of "us".

"Knowledge puffs up by love builds up."
I Corinthians 8:1

©copyrighted: 2010; Julie L. Todd
















11 comments:

Heather Mattern said... Reply to comment

So perfectly written!! I feel like I too have been there.. daily quite times, long prayers yet I still felt so far from Father! What a journey He has taken me on, I am loving every minute of it! Thank you for your encouragement and for being honest about your journey!

LauraLee Shaw said... Reply to comment

Beautiful! Love that last paragraph especially. Amen!

achildoftheking said... Reply to comment

What a great message Jewelz!! Praise God!

Shanda said... Reply to comment

I love it, I love it, I love it, Julie!

"You've spent most of your life trying to understand me so that you could be like me.... do all the right things, make all the right choices..."

This was so me... I don't want to live this way anymore! He's bringing me away from all that, Julie! Thank you, thank you for putting your journey into words!

"Knowing about Me and living in Me are two very different creatures." "One requires Me, the other requires you."

It's been all about me, and I'm done with that... after talking with you the other morning I'm actively seeing him change my focus from being a people pleaser to a God pleaser and it's amazing!!! I know it's going to take time, the old self will sneak in, but with your encouragement I see that know and I'm better prepared!

I love you, Julie! Keep writing, my friend! There are so many more out there who need to read about God's heart!!!

Anonymous said... Reply to comment

Really love this Julie. I tried to work Him all out too. Now I am learning just to listen to His Spirit. xo

Amy Lynne said... Reply to comment

Julie,

Every time I read your writing, I can see the great "Gift" God has placed inside of you to lead others away from religion into "Relationship."

God has done a beautiful work in you.

I know He is beaming with joy over the beauty of His beloved daughter.

Have a happy day!

Love you,
Amy

Karen said... Reply to comment

Beautiful, Julie...

Laura said... Reply to comment

I too have fallen into this trap, Jewelzie. It's so easy to confuse knowledge and strive for grace through that. I always love to read your story, sweet friend.

sparrow girl said... Reply to comment

OH, wow, that is so beautiful and deep! I have lived this too, trying to get the knowledge of God so I could do what He wanted, always wondering what He wanted from me and feeling inadequate to be able to do it.

You said He wants us to see Him within, and that is profound! Not knowledge of Him so we can go do, do, do (that makes me think law and performance) but just knowing Him who is within to just BE, BE, BE with Him (that makes me think relationship). That is where the rivers of living water flow! That is the source and center of life - just knowing Him! Everything just flows out of that union!

Your words spoke volumes to me deep inside my spirit - thank you so much, Julie, for sharing this conversation you had with Him!

Love, Sparrow

Fiona said... Reply to comment

I am so glad that people everywhere in the body of Christ are becoming undone, because they have come to the end of themself. And now we can have Christ formed in us, not us trying to be good christians. That has been my journey too, and I am loving my life now. I love being connected with others that are having the same revelations! Thank you for your transparency Jewelz! xx

Aunt Angie said... Reply to comment

Powerfully TRUE! What an incredible dialogue with our Father...He wants to be involved with our everyday...I love the fact that at the end of our "quest"--we find HIM.