This picture came during a period of time when I was faced with a scenario that was confusing and hurtful. I was going back and forth between indulging in bitterness and fighting against it.
The Picture
My mind filled with a picture of a mud pit. Jesus was sitting on big rock on a grassy bank, watching me. I was in the pit. He quietly sat there, inviting me to come out; offering to wipe away the muck and hold me. He was simply letting me know that I didn't have to stay in that place.
June 11, 2009
Apparently, there's something God has for me to learn from mud. The message in this picture is about grace, about how getting free of sin/bondage requires our choice to walk away from it and about how Jesus gives us his own strength and purity for our cleansing and freedom.
I suppose this picture could also be called "Coming To Our Senses." It captures the heart of God toward us when we take steps away from sin toward Him. To begin with, Jesus is there. He waits on the bank for us; not forcing anything but simply waiting for us to choose Him and live in the freedom of obedience. When we come to our senses and crawl out of the mudhole of... (fill in the blank -- maybe it's bitterness, fear, pride or anger), it's obvious where we've been. If we've chosen sin, it always comes out. Not as obviously as muddy clothes, but in the kinds of thoughts we think, the attitudes we nurture, words we let out, actions we take or don't take.
Yet, Jesus is there. As we move toward him, he responds to our willingness by enfolding us in his own strength and purity. He wraps us up and holds us close, allowing our mess to get all over him. He knows the reason we're dirty is because we chose sin. But he also knows that in this moment, we chose Him and are believing Him. As we do that more and more, we live in more consistent freedom. He is the source for becoming and staying clean.
Responding
What thoughts does this trigger for you? Are you in bondage to anything? Is there an area of failure you're tired of and want to be free of? Are you willing to be humbled before God and crawl out of the mud and live on His terms?
There is freedom in admitting our neediness before God, whether we've just entered into relationship with Him or have walked with Him for decades. But to enjoy that freedom, we need to get out of the mud.
Cindy, I miss you and this is why - your willingness to delve into those deep places. I recently had someone close to me get emotionally hurt and I saw it coming and warned her about it. I didn't say it to her but I kept thinking "If only you would have listened, why didn't you listen?" And it struck me that Jesus could rightfully feel the same way about me. How much pain do I bring myself because I am not good at obeying? Even when I am doing good, then I fall into the trap of pride. I praise him that he continually cleanses me and I work towards accepting that gift more readily rather than staying stuck in the mud.
ReplyDeleteJanice
I love what you said about it being obvious where we've been AFTER we crawl out of the mud pit. There have been seasons where I've been stuck in the hog mud and didn't even know it. What's so sad about that is the fact that I didn't know anything different. Sad and freeing at the same time.
ReplyDeleteBy the way, I love the pictures. You and mom have a similar style of artistry. :)
Love you!
The familiar isn't necessarily the healthy. So easy to get used to living in internal muck and either being oblivious to it or justifying it (I'm this way because...or it's because someone else...)
ReplyDeleteBlows me away that God is willing to wait and then fully embraces us; not holding us at arm's length so our grossness doesn't get all over him. That he knows how inconsistent we are in our following and just stays with us.
It's such a picture of the freedom that is possible if we choose to walk away from sin; to call deception what it is and replace the lies with truth. To live in humility.