Observe, Absorb, Habituate

Sure there’s plenty to give an update about with what happened in 2017 and hopes for 2018 and all that jazz, I’m sure there’s a place for all of that.

That’s not here, though.

What is here, however, is something that gripped my interest of late. You should be able to tell what it is by the three words in the blog heading. Where that came from was again a real fascination with the Kingdom of God and His righteousness. Delighted as I am to have my sins taken on the cross by the Messiah, I acknowledge that my relationship with Him is not about sitting back and expecting Him to help me out of any spot. Following Him is a call to see what He’s doing and then get on with doing it myself. Wary of the fact that in the doing there should be an element in which it encourages my brothers and sisters in the family to also be about the business of seeing what He is doing and then getting on and doing it as well.

The Matthew account of the the gospel sees the last words of Jesus assuring those who follow Him of His continued presence – as they get on with the business of making disciples, baptising them and teaching them to observe everything He commanded. That concept of observing everything He commanded would then require the followers to be familiar with the commands. Not familiar in an intellectual way. Familiar because they live it – their practice as an instruction to others for how they should practice it, without being legalistic about it. They know the commands out of intimate relationship, so they share those commands in developing intimate relationships with other disciples sharing the kind of love that Jesus said would mark out His disciples.

This relationship is hung up on fully taking on board what we see in Jesus. Observing it and absorbing it. Meditating on it, contemplating it, practising it, misunderstanding it, getting clarification on it, growing in it, sharing it and being influenced by others who bring a fresh understanding of it. Observing and absorbing – observing and absorbing. It’s not just looking at a painting in a gallery, it’s recognising that we are an integral part of the painting and recognising where we fit to be able to decorate it.

As experience has taught us, as we observe and absorb and put into practice, so we develop habits. The thing about the development of these habits, however, is that they are not just mechanical responses, these are heartfelt. These are based on the intimate relationship. These are spiritually sensitive rhythms developed over time to be keen in following where Jesus is leading.

That kind of living more than intrigues and fascinates me. This way of life has really grabbed me and …

Well … more on that as things develop.

(Photo by Matt Palmer on Unsplash)

For His Name’s Sake

Shalom

C. L. J. Dryden