We all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image . . . —2 Corinthians 3:18
The greatest characteristic a Christian can exhibit is this completely unveiled openness before God, which allows that person’s life to become a mirror for others. When the Spirit fills us, we are transformed, and by beholding God we become mirrors. You can always tell when someone has been beholding the glory of the Lord, because your inner spirit senses that he mirrors the Lord’s own character. Beware of anything that would spot or tarnish that mirror in you. It is almost always something good that will stain it— something good, but not what is best.
The most important rule for us is to concentrate on keeping our lives open to God. Let everything else including work, clothes, and food be set aside. The busyness of things obscures our concentration on God. We must maintain a position of beholding Him, keeping our lives completely spiritual through and through. Let other things come and go as they will; let other people criticize us as they will; but never allow anything to obscure the life that “is hidden with Christ in God” (Colossians 3:3). Never let a hurried lifestyle disturb the relationship of abiding in Him. This is an easy thing to allow, but we must guard against it. The most difficult lesson of the Christian life is learning how to continue “beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord . . . .” Oswald Chambers~My Utmost For Hs Highest
The most important rule for us is to concentrate on keeping our lives open to God. Let everything else including work, clothes, and food be set aside. The busyness of things obscures our concentration on God. We must maintain a position of beholding Him, keeping our lives completely spiritual through and through. Let other things come and go as they will; let other people criticize us as they will; but never allow anything to obscure the life that “is hidden with Christ in God” (Colossians 3:3). Never let a hurried lifestyle disturb the relationship of abiding in Him. This is an easy thing to allow, but we must guard against it. The most difficult lesson of the Christian life is learning how to continue “beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord . . . .” Oswald Chambers~My Utmost For Hs Highest
I promise. This is the last cat photo post. It's just that when I surfed my picture file for something to illustrate Oswald's hard hitting message this morning... Nolie (pronounced with a long o as in seminole. Short for the Seminole Warriors. She's my son's cat.) was again my poster child cat. I think that I'm learning a lot from Nolie (and Oswald).
O.K. Maybe she only illustrates the second half of his message. I looked long and hard at her... I'm not seeing 'unveiled openness before God'. Nor am I seeing 'transformed by the Spirit'. Umm, spiritual through and through? Nah.
Work, clothes and food are put aside. That's it. That's what I saw in the picture. Did Oswald mention crawling in a bowl? Now I'm getting confused. I'd better go back and read the message again.
Blessings, Debbie
LOL! Such a thought provoking bit from the book, and then talks about crawling in a bowl. Maybe she's practicing the part about not letting a hurried lifestyle get in the way... She's very cute. ;)
ReplyDeleteWell you know, there are times when you meet someone who has gone through trial or whatever you know that you are standing on Holy Ground. Then there are times after getting up off your knees from a time of prayer with the Lord and you know that your face is glowing, but then there are times when you feel the glory fading and I wish I had a paper bag to cover it up so people wouldn't see.
ReplyDeleteThen the times when I cry Abba Father and long to rest in His arms or be shielded underneath His everlasting arms.
I think I am most thankful that we have now, the gift of transformation that comes from just a daily walk and really, curling up like your cat, and just abiding in the vine. His work done through me. By staying connected.
I have been reading Hudson Taylor and he talks a bunch about Abiding.
Sorry this is so long, but I was thinking about this and you wrote about it from Oswald Chambers so it was nice.
Have a great Monday!
That cat is just too cute! love,andrea
ReplyDeleteWonderful post today, Debbie! Never thought of cats as particularly spirit filled creatures, but they certainly know how to live in the moment and accept come what may!
ReplyDeleteI love this passage Debbie and really must copy it in my book to reread when needed:)
ReplyDeleteI do love the pictures of your son's cat!
What a cute kitty! You'll certainly never hear complaints about cat posts from ME!
ReplyDeleteHow do we know what Nolie is meditating upon? He found a perfect spot for his ruminations. Maybe you should read that passage aloud to him.
(since when do you have a cat obsession? I don't recall such a thing.)
Debbie,
ReplyDeletePut cat in your post title and you've got my attention every time! I learn a lot of spiritual lessons from my cats. And it's true, they know how to live and just be, letting go of all the distractions/worries of life.
Nolie is lovely.
The passage from Oswald Chambers is rich...full of challenging thoughts...I am going to reread it several times to glean all the riches!
ReplyDeleteAnd Nolie...LOVE that sweet face and fluffy fur and I want to reach right into her bowl/bed and give him a kitty kiss! Precious!
Hugs to you (and share some with Nolie, please),
Cheryl
Isn't it just like a cat to curl up in an empty cat shaped place! :) I once walked into the kitchen and found one of our cats sleeping on a sheet cake! It was warm and just the right amount of space, what more perfect place could a cat want! Being cat wary (we had four at the time) I'd but a dish towel over it -thinking I wouldn't find cat nibbles, haha- and was able to save the cake. It had a lovely cat shaped depression in the middle but was still good. And maybe that's what is spiritual here, the ability of a cat to crawl into an obscure small place and relax and be cozy reflects on our need to crawl up into the lap of God and do the same.
ReplyDeleteNow , I have just this very minute come into the lounge, where I found James playing with some of his soft toys . He had a lamp set on the floor and some sea creature toys in front, and his two favourite toy cats behind. This is my church, he said, the sea creatures are the children and the cats are the big people. Then I sat down and read your post - cats and spirituality? It's happening here in the Church for cats and sea creatures!
ReplyDeleteLove and blessings xxx
Oswald Chambers is so powerful with his words. He leaves absolutely no wiggle room...I think that is what Nolie is showing us all snugged into the bowl with no wiggle room...and looking for God's face only...oh, um maybe she's looking for a string or a treat too...but we should look for God's face and reflect that to our little corner of the world.
ReplyDeleteOh, dear - poor Nolie is a she, and I called her a he - my apologies, Nolie!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing thoughts from a favorite author of mine, I think Nolie has laid everything aside, no work, no play, just resting in very deep thought. I might be able to learn from her too!
ReplyDeleteAs always a great post.
Sue
Oswald is a very wise man, and Nolie looks at the very least like a kitty who knows that comfortable and cozy are good things :o).
ReplyDeleteBlessings!
Deborah
Wise words and a cute cat...oh how it creates a good post! [o=
ReplyDeleteBlessings and ((HUGS))
-Mary
Ach, you so totally made me laugh. I'm not doubting at all that curling up that completely in a bowl is outside of the purview of the earnest Christian character. I think what was getting you was the concept of giving yourself over wholly. Though a cat is more wooly than glassy, still, a cat is so good at relaxing into catness. I am not sure I know anything about looking at the face of God, unless we are speaking metaphorically, and seeing his face in the beauty of his creation, and the more beauty of human behavior when it reflects His love. Being in the "thick of thin things" is a great danger, since as we all know, the things of Earth so easily pass away. Depending on a surface that is bound to crumble is a bad bet - but finding a solid surface - something very like a rock - is wise. I read a talk some months ago called - Good, Better, Best - that you might enjoy. I'll see if I can find the link to it.
ReplyDeleteOh Please don't let this be your last Cat Post... your Fur Baby is absolutely adorable and ended my day with a huge Smile... LOVE IT! And it is a perfect reminder that Cats can make themselves comfortable and have perfect contentment anywhere, a good example for us to relax and get comfortable and content where ever we may find ourselves.
ReplyDeleteBlessings from the Arizona Desert... Dawn... The Bohemian
Love it...so good. :) You should write me!
ReplyDelete