JUST A CLOSER WALK WITH THEE!

In considering the different levels of intimacy with God, all I need to do is look at the 12 Apostles!  We know that Peter was chosen to be the leader of the Church.  We know John is thought to be the one who loved Jesus so deeply, and was given the honor of taking His Mother, the Blessed Virgin Mary to his home after the Crucifixion.  We know that Judas betrayed Him.  The 12 men Jesus chose weren't of nobility and wealth.  They were everyday hardworking folks just like we are!

These guys saw the supernatural up close and personal!  How often do we see anything supernatural today?  If we did, would we say it was from God or would we scream demonic? Or would we find a scientific explanation?  What would we do if someone said, "don't take them to the hospital---there's a guy in town who can touch and heal"?  How about if someone were crying over the death of a loved one, and someone said, "don't cry....there's a messiah nearby who raised a man from the dead....let's go get Him"!  Straight-jacket time eh?

Yet these 12 men saw a child raised from the dead...saw Lazarus come out of the tomb after 4 days!  They saw the blind men see, paralyzed men leap, the bleeding woman that no doctor could remedy...find healing just by touching His Garment! They watched a fig tree wither and die...bread multiply to feed thousands...and Him tell the storms to "be still"....and walk on water!  These stories have all been told.  They were all EXPOSED TO THE SUPERNATURAL! 

Of the 12, Jesus chose 3....to be a bit more intimate.  He chose Peter, James, John to see Him in His Transfigured Glory....BEFORE...He actually died and ascended into Heaven...oh yeah....they got to see THAT also! SPECTACULAR!

Did Jesus love these 3 more than the others?  I highly doubt that!  Rather, I believe it is because they were open to receive more from Him, thereby seeking and able to grasp a deeper revealing of His Majesty!  Those people who need explanations for everything or a scientific reason--- it is by inquiring minds that many discoveries have been made; but to dismiss the spiritual explanations as antiquated or for weak-minded people----rejecting religion and faith-based teachings---limits you.  You can enjoy science and God!  To me, science is only teaching what God already knows! 

 Thomas just had to see for himself!  Jesus said He had many things to tell the Apostles but they weren't able to bear it just then...He took them on a journey and grew them up!  To see the Divine in His Glory beforehand...wow!  Peter went from denying him three times to beholding the Fantastic Glory of God in Christ while He was still alive!!  Now that is intimacy---seeing the complete person inside and out!  It was not given to the others...maybe they weren't ready? Maybe their walk was still on the natural side of things? Perhaps, they were still doubting? Were they just content to follow and watch the Teacher do all the wonderful things for the crowds? We don't know...but we do know...Jesus had an "inner circle".  I want to be in that Light!  I want more than this natural world! I want to do more than just follow teachings! I want a closer walk with Him!

IN MY FATHER'S HOUSE!

This is one of those verses that I meditated on and the Holy Spirit began to speak volumes. He began to talk about Heaven and what "rewards" we would get!  We think of mansions as huge homes with many, many rooms that only the very wealthy reside.  In our day, images of the skyscrapers come to mind as well for me....the lobby all the way up to the penthouse.  The wealthy reside in those also.  The neat thing about Heaven, is that it isn't the value of wealth that determines our place of residence in the City of God!  Just think of the extreme poverty in Africa and Haiti and others. Those poor souls may surprise us in Heaven! We may be shocked at what we think we deserve and what we shall actually receive!!

Rewards come to mind.  Jesus said some would get 30, some 60, and some  a hundredfold. Obviously not the same for everyone.  What did He mean by that?  I liken it to "you get what you give"!  Our faith journey is determined by us-- not our circumstances.  If going to church and thinking about God only at Christmas and Easter is all you need...with minimal investment...why would you be upset that your place of reward offers a small cottage? Would you be upset if your neighbor was given a beautiful suite of rooms in a lavish mansion?  You know, the fellow that you rolled your eyes at because he wouldn't go to the strip club with the guys, or the woman who actually said she wouldn't go see Magic Mike at the movies?  Heaven, everyone is saved!  Not everyone gets to the penthouse!  

What is the difference you say?  I tend to think of it as....I may be introduced by the "doorman" into the lobby....staring at the beautiful scenery and enjoying the music....but my "clearance" won't allow me to go up to see my neighbor with the suite of rooms on the sixth floor.  The neighbor can go from his floor and visit everyone on the other floors below...but he cannot go up to the penthouse either.  The family in the penthouse can go anywhere in the building because all the floors are below him. Soooo...maybe you don't want to see that neighbor and who cares about a penthouse anyhow?

What if your child is up in the penthouse...and you can't go to them...but if they want to see you ...could only come down to visit?  Perhaps, your grandparents are on the 10th floor...and you are in the lobby...you have missed them terribly and desire to see them now.  You cannot go where they are...they can only come down to you.  You are happy, you are saved, you are blessed...but you are not on the same level as others you wish to be with!  Would God do that, limit us?

It's not about limits as much as how much you have been able to grasp, to understand, to develop.  A baby is beautiful but has no language skills, the toddler is precious but cannot do Algebra, the high school Freshman is striving and achieving but is not the teacher, the teacher knows enough to educate but is not on the genius scale with the incredible IQ.  Your journey is going to take you down many paths and reveal wondrous things...but if you are too busy to take in the scenery, or too distracted to hear all the music and sounds, or too lazy to work and build on the way---you are limiting yourself!  This is not to say that only church -going people who volunteer for every ministry is guaranteed the penthouse...its not about "works" in the world as much as "works in the heart".  How much have you sought God? How much have you tried to incorporate His Teachings into your daily life?  Does the world know you are a Christian? Or is it a "personal" thing?  It is a personal thing...but your actions will reveal  how your personal faith affects your life.  

So when I examine myself for Lent--there is consideration about where I may find my reward...am I doing enough to get by?  Am I going to see loved ones I miss?  Am I going to see the Apostles?  Am I going to given the panoramic view in ecstasy or a narrow window?  The Angels are ranked by degrees...the Seraphim are closest to God's Throne...the " burning ones"...how bright will my glory be...a simple light in a closet or a blinding planet like the sun!!