I have always liked the analogy of “going to a deeper place” in terms of our spiritual walks. In fact, a buzz word that has become quite popular is Christian circles is “going to that next level.” I don’t care to debate or argue why people say this. I don’t care if someone thinks they are the one that “holds the key” to the moment. That is not at all how I picture going to the next level.
This is what I think of:
I don’t know what you picture in your minds but I definitely see a hole in the ground. A hole that we are digging. It is not an aimless goal hole, but rather it is our grave. It is signifying that we are ready to die, ready to lie down to come closer to Him. So at several points we stop. We put the shovel down and we lay down, face up. Then we just stare, looking and drinking in the brilliance of God, just as we would with the suns rays. Yet as we stare, we realize how far we are, and we realize how much more we need to die to ourselves, to become more like Him.
So we dig again, deeper; “let’s get there!”
Deeper and deeper we go, realizing how great His mercy and grace is. “Can I die more? Lord, show me how!!!”
How is it that the deeper we go, the more we die to ourselves and we realize how far we are from really getting it?
Yet, we are so much closer than we were before.
That is the greatness and mystery of our relationship with God.
I have often wondered at those that I so deeply respect spiritually, that model Christ to me in powerful ways. They always say that they have “so much to do better,” or “more flesh and sin that they need to let go of.” Sure those are “actions” words, but I am fully understanding what they mean. They want to die more, to be more like Him.
This is going deeper, dying to yourself, so He can raise you up.
3 If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. 3 For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.5 Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. 6 On account of these the wrath of God is coming. 7 In these you too once walked, when you were living in them. 8 But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth. 9 Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices 10 and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator. Colossians 3:1-10
Today, go deeper; go to the next level. Be willing to let Him take you there, so He can lift you out again. Let Him reveal to you purpose and meaning and life which He wrote for you before the beginning of time.
