Well my worst fears were realized. June 2010 was my last post, so much for procrastination. I’ll give it another try, with no promises to be more consistent.
If we want a life other than mere biology, we must deal with God. There is no alternate way.
–E. Peterson, The Message Remix, p.359, intro to 1&2 Sam.-
Ps 6:4&5
Turn, O Lord, deliver my life;
Save me for the sake of Your
Steadfast love.
For in death there is no
remembrance of You;
in Sheol, who will give You
praise?
My life is derived from You, O Lord. It is the nature of an image. An image (think mirror) is dependent/derived from an objective reality. If the object is removed the image will cease to exist because it is but a reflection of its object.
The existence of the image requires a proper orientation to the imager. Psalm 115 says that we become like what we gaze at or worship. To turn my gaze or worship from You to another object will of necessity create a different image. “You will have no other gods before me” , no other ‘objects’ to gaze upon or worship, makes so much sense in this context. My imaging, Your image in me, is at jeopardy when I turn my gaze from You. Total loss of image is to disappear, death.
The quality of the image has to do with the integrity of the imaging surface - holiness. The orientation of the surface may be toward You, but cluttered with all manner of interference both encrusted and embedded. 1 Cor. 13 describes us seeing, (Imaging darkly) but one day, face to face, unencumbered with mess, knowing as we are known – imaging truly. This transformation into Your likeness from a lesser degree of glory to a greater is described in 2 Cor. 3:18 “We all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of holiness to another. For this (glorious image) comes from (You, O Lord) who is (objective reality) the Spirit.” The prayer of Jesus for us in Jn. 17 declares Your desire to give that glory to us that we may reflect it back to you. (Is. 43:7)
Thanks be to God.
No Remembrance
Created in Your image
for Your glory alone.
created to be with You,
to know and be known.
What a waste, what sorrow,
what loss, what a shame.
tis I who chooses death
I have no one to blame.
Made to reflect You,
in life, You revealed;
in death just a hole,
Your image concealed.
In Your steadfast love, O Lord,
give me Life through and through;
that there be not a hole left,
in the remembrance of You.
- JMM-
