5:1 God wants His children to understand that despite how fragile or temporary our lives on earth might sometimes seem, our true home always and perfectly supports the life within us. Our home with God is indestructible, created by Spirit rather than hand. That same force is guiding you through this life as you journey toward the next.
5:2 The thought of a spiritual home in and with God is wondrous. We yearn to be not gone but elsewhere: with Him, spiritually. Our lives are the journey we take to reach Him; wizened, emboldened, strengthened. We groan because life here is sometimes difficult and confusing. We do not necessarily want to shed this life but instead hope to enter our spiritual lives.
5:3 This is a metaphorical clothing: we clothe ourselves with authenticity; taught and encouraged by God. Therefore when our character is analyzed, we are found to be wrapped with wisdom and compassion. We are not "naked" meaning that we have not wrapped ourselves with superficial materials, materials like wealth and power and property which deteriorate and leave us exposed.
5:4-5 We wish to be clothed with and by the qualities of God: courage and honesty, compassion, wisdom and patience. We wish to layer our souls rather than our bodies. God has created are souls and actively participates in the growth and development of them as long as we allow Him to.
5:6 We can find comfort in this life by knowing that God is right over there. Perhaps physically intangible... but certainly spiritually accessible to us.
5:7 The process of learning to trust God requires development and maintenance of faith. Eventually we realize while under God's wing that our own senses are limited. We realize that we have the blessed opportunity of having a more omniscient and omnipotent force wield our lives. A rush and constant flow of relief comes when we accept that we are (at times) limited but not (at anytime) helpless.
Creation has intricately planned and built and sustained this complex universe that is ourselves and also that we live in and we can trust it to keep a devoted interest in all it has made.
When we walk by faith rather than sight, we live life with the comfort that our trust in God delivers us to the best possible outcome in every situation. Look at the detail and miracle of even the tiniest aspect of this earth or this body we live inside of: we are not accidental. Creation has always had divine strategy and always will. Your life is no exception; you are part of its plan.
More than just our actual vision, our perception and perspective is even limited. We cannot see around corners, into the next week, and even our hindsight is faulty. We cannot read minds, not even sometimes our own. Sometimes we cannot discern "right" from "wrong" or "should" from "should not." We do not have to be alone in making those decisions when we walk by faith. Faith that creation recognizes us as a part of itself and therefore includes us in its intention toward compassion and life.
5:8 The ultimate joy: when we are not here, we are with God. We are never lost in an abyss or an in-between. We journey toward Him and He tugs us forward. We blink out of this life and into His. Those who we love blink out of this life and into His in our due time. The Book of Ecclesiastes teaches us that there is a time for everything. Creation is not spontaneous or careless with its loved ones.
5:6 We can find comfort in this life by knowing that God is right over there. Perhaps physically intangible... but certainly spiritually accessible to us.
5:7 The process of learning to trust God requires development and maintenance of faith. Eventually we realize while under God's wing that our own senses are limited. We realize that we have the blessed opportunity of having a more omniscient and omnipotent force wield our lives. A rush and constant flow of relief comes when we accept that we are (at times) limited but not (at anytime) helpless.
Creation has intricately planned and built and sustained this complex universe that is ourselves and also that we live in and we can trust it to keep a devoted interest in all it has made.
When we walk by faith rather than sight, we live life with the comfort that our trust in God delivers us to the best possible outcome in every situation. Look at the detail and miracle of even the tiniest aspect of this earth or this body we live inside of: we are not accidental. Creation has always had divine strategy and always will. Your life is no exception; you are part of its plan.
More than just our actual vision, our perception and perspective is even limited. We cannot see around corners, into the next week, and even our hindsight is faulty. We cannot read minds, not even sometimes our own. Sometimes we cannot discern "right" from "wrong" or "should" from "should not." We do not have to be alone in making those decisions when we walk by faith. Faith that creation recognizes us as a part of itself and therefore includes us in its intention toward compassion and life.
5:8 The ultimate joy: when we are not here, we are with God. We are never lost in an abyss or an in-between. We journey toward Him and He tugs us forward. We blink out of this life and into His. Those who we love blink out of this life and into His in our due time. The Book of Ecclesiastes teaches us that there is a time for everything. Creation is not spontaneous or careless with its loved ones.
5:9 It is healthy and productive for the intention of our lives to be growth in patience and compassion. How we interact with humanity and the earth is a demonstration of our allegiance with (or defiance against) God's compassionate intention for the earth and His children. His river is flowing and our lives unfold so much more beautifully and smoothly when we flow with Him. We do not want to go against the current of God, constantly battling against what is good and natural.
5:10 When we are present with creation, with God, with whatever manifestation of divinity we believe in, our lives are analyzed, even by ourselves. We get to see the impact we made on the earth, on the people around us. Let that be a joyous and humbling moment.
5:11 We have a God-given ability to perceive to tap into. To perceive the triumph as well as flaw in our character and also in others' as a way to discern authenticity and sincerity. We are each known by God exactly as we are. Paul hopes that his friends, students and acquaintances will perceive the authenticity of his own work and spirit.
5:12 Paul and the apostles travel and teach with humility. Rather than working to manipulate people's opinions of them, Paul and the apostles do their best, most sincere work and let their students form their own conclusions.
It is imperative that we observe the words and behavior of the people around us, especially those who are trying to teach or lead us in some way. People put a lot of effort into their outward appearances but it is up to us to identify whether what they say is also what they do.
5:10 When we are present with creation, with God, with whatever manifestation of divinity we believe in, our lives are analyzed, even by ourselves. We get to see the impact we made on the earth, on the people around us. Let that be a joyous and humbling moment.
5:11 We have a God-given ability to perceive to tap into. To perceive the triumph as well as flaw in our character and also in others' as a way to discern authenticity and sincerity. We are each known by God exactly as we are. Paul hopes that his friends, students and acquaintances will perceive the authenticity of his own work and spirit.
5:12 Paul and the apostles travel and teach with humility. Rather than working to manipulate people's opinions of them, Paul and the apostles do their best, most sincere work and let their students form their own conclusions.
It is imperative that we observe the words and behavior of the people around us, especially those who are trying to teach or lead us in some way. People put a lot of effort into their outward appearances but it is up to us to identify whether what they say is also what they do.
5:13 Paul draws his humility from his purpose as a fellow-worker of God. The work that he does throughout humanity is not for self-benefit but is instead of God and for others. Paul proclaims this beautiful truth: the gifts and abilities we have are not for ourselves but are for others. We are given the talent and opportunity to change humanity beyond ourselves.
Paul is saying to us: If I am great, my greatness was given by God and not to me but through me for you.
Do not be mistaken, we are loved and deeply. We are the breathing, laughing, loving instruments through which God can bring justice and compassion to humanity. Our opportunities to do great things are not opportunities for us to be celebrated but are opportunities for us to celebrate. To celebrate that we have purpose and impact on the earth. To celebrate the birth of a justice, a smile, a joy which would not have existed without our efforts.
5:14 Paul is wholeheartedly committed to God and His creation. He exudes humility because he knows that all efforts toward justice and compassion are efforts done by generations of souls, with our constant God. Paul absorbs every tribulation and humiliation God's children have endured and therefore stifles any chance for arrogance.
5:15 The reason why it is unhealthy for us to live for ourselves is because we derive strength, wisdom and purpose from empathy. If our focus is pointed entirely inward, we have no impact... and certainly no positive impact on the world or the people around us. Many have lived this way. Many still live this way... and it is the detriment of the world. Jesus, the manifestation of justice and compassion outlined and exemplified another way... humanity had been living selfishly and was suffering for it. It doesn't have to be that way.
Join life in creating life: the life of justice, compassion, patience, truth. When you join in with the flow of nature, the intention of spirit, your journey is reinforced, directed, protected, helped.
5:16-17 Focus on the spirit inside of you, inside of others. Focus on keeping the light within souls. These bodies are merely temporary vessels mechanically carrying us through this classroom. We were introduced to spirit, reminded of our natural form: our soul. Cultivate its growth and strength and wisdom.
Your body's vulnerability was designed for you to learn and grow. Surrounding a temporary, vulnerable vessel with wealth and power and fame is a wasteful use of your time. Wealth and power and within you, waiting to be ignited in your soul through acts of compassion and purpose. Let your fame be because of your generosity, your patience, your willful work to promote life.
5:18-29 Divinity did not delve into this world to enforce its authority. Divinity came as rescue, as relief. The world appears to be chaotic, disorganized, derailed and the inability to find order and reason and purpose is deafening, muting, halting. Spirituality guides us through the earth, wisely and purposefully, to show us how and where humans disconnect and cause the disparate, sometimes desperate, conditions of the world.
So many people in the world, if they even believe in God, point their finger at Him. I've never understood that, for to me, it is so clearly humanity who cause tribulation here on earth. God restores. God enables us to confront and dismantle the wayward. We have so much freedom here and many people do not use it well. With your freedom be authentic, be sincere, be purposeful. Many are not and this is the reason much of humanity suffers.
5:20-21 Jesus did not die for our sins because God required punishment. Jesus elected to be born into this vulnerable earth in order to manifest the difference between just and unjust, patience and impatience, truth and deception. Jesus came here even though He knew He would die, and cruelly because He wanted us to understand these things:
Paul is saying to us: If I am great, my greatness was given by God and not to me but through me for you.
Do not be mistaken, we are loved and deeply. We are the breathing, laughing, loving instruments through which God can bring justice and compassion to humanity. Our opportunities to do great things are not opportunities for us to be celebrated but are opportunities for us to celebrate. To celebrate that we have purpose and impact on the earth. To celebrate the birth of a justice, a smile, a joy which would not have existed without our efforts.
5:14 Paul is wholeheartedly committed to God and His creation. He exudes humility because he knows that all efforts toward justice and compassion are efforts done by generations of souls, with our constant God. Paul absorbs every tribulation and humiliation God's children have endured and therefore stifles any chance for arrogance.
5:15 The reason why it is unhealthy for us to live for ourselves is because we derive strength, wisdom and purpose from empathy. If our focus is pointed entirely inward, we have no impact... and certainly no positive impact on the world or the people around us. Many have lived this way. Many still live this way... and it is the detriment of the world. Jesus, the manifestation of justice and compassion outlined and exemplified another way... humanity had been living selfishly and was suffering for it. It doesn't have to be that way.
Join life in creating life: the life of justice, compassion, patience, truth. When you join in with the flow of nature, the intention of spirit, your journey is reinforced, directed, protected, helped.
5:16-17 Focus on the spirit inside of you, inside of others. Focus on keeping the light within souls. These bodies are merely temporary vessels mechanically carrying us through this classroom. We were introduced to spirit, reminded of our natural form: our soul. Cultivate its growth and strength and wisdom.
Your body's vulnerability was designed for you to learn and grow. Surrounding a temporary, vulnerable vessel with wealth and power and fame is a wasteful use of your time. Wealth and power and within you, waiting to be ignited in your soul through acts of compassion and purpose. Let your fame be because of your generosity, your patience, your willful work to promote life.
5:18-29 Divinity did not delve into this world to enforce its authority. Divinity came as rescue, as relief. The world appears to be chaotic, disorganized, derailed and the inability to find order and reason and purpose is deafening, muting, halting. Spirituality guides us through the earth, wisely and purposefully, to show us how and where humans disconnect and cause the disparate, sometimes desperate, conditions of the world.
So many people in the world, if they even believe in God, point their finger at Him. I've never understood that, for to me, it is so clearly humanity who cause tribulation here on earth. God restores. God enables us to confront and dismantle the wayward. We have so much freedom here and many people do not use it well. With your freedom be authentic, be sincere, be purposeful. Many are not and this is the reason much of humanity suffers.
5:20-21 Jesus did not die for our sins because God required punishment. Jesus elected to be born into this vulnerable earth in order to manifest the difference between just and unjust, patience and impatience, truth and deception. Jesus came here even though He knew He would die, and cruelly because He wanted us to understand these things:
- 1. There is no death for God's children. No matter the trial or tribulation other humans put us through on earth, directly and indirectly, we have the strength of eternal life within this vessel. Our soul is resilient. Do not be afraid, the thread of your life cannot be cut.
- 2. For us to know that God relates. We were not cast into this classroom flippantly. Our pain and our suffering, as well as our joy and our laughter are known and felt by our creator. He understands the conditions of being alive in this world, in these bodies and therefore He is patient and present with us.
- 3. There is another way. Confront rather than smother that which you wonder about: Is there more to life? More to me? Is there purpose here? Am I a part or participant of that purpose? The answer to all of those questions is: YES. Let creation, God uncover the spirituality of yourself and the world and Him and His intention. People live in a slumber, barely life as a series of tasks rather than an explosion of purpose and miracle. Jesus came awake here and exemplified the way for us to do the same.
