I am currently reading Waking the Dead (The Glory of a Heart Fully Alive), by John Eldredge. I have tried many times to read this book. I would borrow it from the pulic library, get a couple chapters in and always seem to get sidetracked. By the time I went back, it was overdue and I had to return it. Plus, I have always liked marking up the books I read. I highlight and mark in margins. So, doing this to a library book would not be a great idea. So, I asked to receive it as a Christmas gift, which I happily got. I am now 4 chapters in and can truly see why I have thus far been unable to get any further. The Enemy of my soul certainly does not want to get any further. There are truly, so many things that I could mention about this book. But for now I will only hit on one main area. When I am done I will have all of my favorite parts and sections placed into a folder that anyone interested can access and copy. What has really got me stirred up today was the chapter entitled, "The Glory Hidden In Your Heart." Eldredge talks about how Christians today continuing on the old mindset of "the heart is deceitful above all things" (Jeremiah 7:17). This was part of the old covenant, expressing the sinfulness of the heart. A heart that needed sacrifices to be made righteous . Jesus came to become the sacrifice that not only brought us forgiveness of sin and righteousness in his eyes, it also frees our heart to SHINE the glory of the one in whom we have been created. In Philippians 2:15-16 Paul says, You shine like stars in the universe as you hold out the word of lfe." Shawn Mullins sings a song that says, "we're born to shimmer; we're born to shine." Matthew 5:16 tells us, "Let your light shine before men." Understand? Well, I can't explain it like Eldredge can, so I'm going to cite a passage from this chapter. I hope this stirs you as it did me."All this groveling and self-deprication done by CHristians is often just the shame masquerading as humilty. Shame says, "I'm nothing to look at. I'm not capable of goodness." Humilty says, "I bear a glory for sure, but it's a reflected glory. A grace given to me." Your story does not begin with sin. It begins with a glory bestowed upon you by God. It does not start in Genesis 3; it starts in Genesis 1. First things first, as they say.
Certainly you will admit that God is glorious. Is there anyone more kind? Is there anyone more creative? Is there anyone more valiant? Is there anyone more true? Is there abyone more daring? Is there anyone more beautiful? Is there anyone more wise? Is there anyone more generous? You are his offspring. His child. His reflection. His likeness. You bear his image. Do you remember that though he made the heavens and the earth in all their glory, the desert and the open sea, the meadow and the Milky Way, and said, "It is good," it was only after he made you that he said, "It is very good' (Gen 1:31).
Think of it: Your original glory was greater than anything that's ever taken your breath away in nature. "As for the saints who are in the land, they are the glorious ones in whom is all my delight."
(Psalm 16:3)
God endowed you with a glory when he created you, a glory so deep and mthyic that all creation pales in comparison.
When you take a second glance in the mirror, when you pause to look again at a photograph, you are looking for a glory you know you were meant to have, if only because you know you long to have it. You remember faintly that you were once more than what you have become. your story didn't start with sin, and thank God it does not end with sin. It ends with glory restored: "Thos he justified, he also glorified (Romans 8:30). And "in the meantime," you have been transformed, and you are being transformed. You've been given a new heart. Now God is restoring your glory. He is bringing you fully alive. Because the glory of God is you fully alive."
Man....if that doesn't stir you up, you'd better check for a pulse! Well, I will undoubtedly share more about this amazing book later, but I think that's plenty for now. Take care all and remember to let your glory 'shine like stars.'
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