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June 23, 2004
Identity #4
So a reoccurring theme in my study and writing is my identity.
A thought that I have been working on for awhile (I am sure that someone else mentioned it first and started me on this train o' thought) is the culmination of our change in identity into full communion with Christ in Heaven. There to the people that overcome he will give a white stone. And on it will be written a new name that will only be known to those who recieve it.
We are Christ's bride and we see a change in our identity by taking a new name that he gives us. We also share a secret with him that is not known to anyone else thereby increasing the intimacy in our relationship.
Truly this is a terrifying and incredible thing to be joined to God in this way. I will continue my quest...
Posted by paul at June 23, 2004 11:01 AM
Comments
"The Lord confides in those who fear him." Psalm 25:14
The Lord does tell each of us secrets, or wants to.
I think of John at the Last Supper, John 13:21-26. Jesus said someone was going to betray him, Peter nudged John and told him to ask Jesus who it was. So John got real close, leaning against him: "Lord, who is it?" he must have whispered. Jesus whispered back, "It is the one to whom I will give this piece of bread..." Jesus shared a secret with John and then John passed it on.
A good prayer: "Speak to me Lord. Tell me a secret, meant just for me."
Kind of what prayer is all about, I guess.
Posted by: Different Dan at June 23, 2004 01:21 PM
Thanks D-dan. Those are good thoughts.
Posted by: paul at June 23, 2004 04:57 PM
When He tells us a secret, it can't remain a secret because it's so finely wrought just for us and so powerful that we are compelled to tell it in our changed lives.
Posted by: Kathy at June 23, 2004 07:17 PM
Re: the white stone/our identity. Here's a thought I mentioned in a post on Matt's blog and also on my own:
I heard Packers coach Mike Holmgren talk about being successful as a man and one tip was to always strive to grow spiritually. In that regard, he suggested framing a sentence that describes who you are and then reading it everyday.
He drew a distinction between who you are and what you do. He said if you know who you are, the what you do will take care of itself. And in striving to "do" things, we will always encounter adversity, adversity that can destroy us if we don't know who we are.
I haven't yet followed his advice yet. But one vese I know tells me who I am: I am God's "masterpiece" (Ephesians 2:10). The word masterpiece, or workmanship, in Greek is "poema" (sp?) from which we get the word poem. I am a work of art, a song that is "fearfully and wonderfully made," an outpouring of God's creative mind. And he is painting my life from a pallette of good works prepared for me.
If I could share one more thought. My pastor, Mark Voll, shared with me his thought on Ephesians 2:10 -- Each of us are broken pieces of glass. God is taking those pieces and creating a beautiful mosaic. I love that analogy.
Posted by: Different Dan at June 23, 2004 09:15 PM