WORTH THE RISK!!

What do we do when we become aware of something God wants to deal with in our lives?

Do we immediately respond with a willingness to know more, to repent, to change, to forgive, to apologise, to let go, to surrender, or whatever it is He's asking of us?  

Joining with other writers at Five Minute Friday and today's prompt word is AWARE.  

I've been learning about the laver in the Old Testament temple.   I have studied this before.  I knew that the laver, which is situated just inside the temple courts, was the place for washing.    The people would come in and use the laver as a mirror to become aware of what needed washing and attend to it.   

In the new covenant, it symbolises  how we are washed by the Word, when we see our sin reflected back to us by the Word, when we are convicted by His Spirit as we look into His perfect word.   

Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her,  that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word,  that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish.  Eph 5:25-27

But I didn't become aware until very recently that the laver was made out of mirrors.  Wow!!    Apparently when the women brought all their mirrors for the building of the temple, taken from the spoils of Egypt, the mirrors were used to build the laver.   

What happens when we look into a mirror?   We become aware of dirt, flaws, blemishes, problems.  What happens when we look into the Word of God?   We become aware of dirt (sin), flaws (inclination to sin), blemishes (brokenness), problems (difficulties).  

What do we do when we become aware of those?   Do we go away and forget, like James says?  

For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror;  for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was.  But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does.  James 1:23-25  

What about when we seek His face?  His face is like a mirror.   

I'm often curious about all the conversations Jesus had with His disciples that aren't on record.  How challenging would it have been to live in close proximity to Jesus, as a disciple?   What did they become aware of as they hung out with Him?   What was it Peter said?  “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord!”  Luke  5:8 

Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.  2 Cor 3:17-18

So, what do we do when become aware of something dirty, previously hidden from our view (He's already seen it)?  Will we get close enough to Him to risk becoming aware, and be considered His friends?  Or do we pull back, keep at a safe distance, like the many that followed Jesus at a safe distance?  

Or do we draw closer and let Him touch, convict, heal, challenge, change us?   

That's the choice isn't it?   Like any kind of awareness, 

once you see it, you can't unsee it.

once you know it, you can't un-know it

once you've experienced it, you can't forget it - good or bad. 

I'm ruminating on John 15 at the moment, That concept of abiding in Him.  

Sounds lovely and poetic but in reality, it brings conviction and challenge and pruning and pain and a requirement for surrender and change.   

Will we push in to Him, and risk becoming more aware or our flaws, our brokenness, the truth about ourselves?

And once we're aware, will we allow His pruning?  

Jesus says true worshippers must worship Him in Spirit and in truth.  

How do we worship Him properly if we pull back because the truth is too challenging? 

And how do we receive His mercy if we won't allow His truth to expose us?  

All the paths of the Lord are mercy and truth, To such as keep His covenant and His testimonies.  Ps 25:10

Will we continue to abide and risk a deepening awareness?   

Or just serve Him from a distance? 

Risky stuff, for sure.   

But, the beauty is that with the deepening awareness of my sin and brokenness, the awareness of His grace, His mercy, and His never failing, relentless, reckless love grows exponentially.   

And that has most definitely been worth the risk!!  

Hear, O Lord, when I cry with my voice!

Have mercy also upon me, and answer me.

When You said, “Seek My face,”

My heart said to You, “Your face, Lord, I will seek.”     Ps 27:7,8

Light of the world
You stepped down into darkness
Opened my eyes, let me see
Beauty that made this heart adore You
Hope of a life spent with You

Here I am to worship
Here I am to bow down
Here I am to say that You're my God