LIVING AT THE SOURCE
Scripture Reading: John 1: 1 – 14
Scripture Emphasis:
John 1:1 & 14 – “In the beginning, the Word already existed. The Word was with God, and the Word was God.” ” And The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.” (1)
In the Prelude to the Gospel that bears his name, John searches for the most authentic expression of the Divine mystery. To this day, all searches break through every human effort to capture it, leaving but a faint glimmer to entice every inquiring mind.
A Word is the first indication of an existing thought. Accordingly, John introduces the Creator, thinking of a world that would be the habitation of the species of HOMO SAPIENTS (humankind). Unlike all other things created, this species would be Blessed with the unique capacity to emulate the perfect example of their kind, destined to dwell among them. Consequently, they would create a second Heaven like the one from which they came.
“Imago Dei is a theological term meaning ‘the Image Of God.’ Fundamentally, it means two things: first, God’s self-actualization through humankind, and second, God’s care for humanity. To say that humans are in the image of God is to recognize the unique qualities of human nature that allow God to manifest in humans. In other words, for humans to have the conscious recognition of their being in the image of God means that they are the creature through whom God’s plans and purposes can be made known and actualized; humans, in this way, can be seen as co-creators with God.” (2)
The phrase mentioned above,’ Source of life,’ does not convey the ending of a mere physical creation. Instead, in the case of the human species, they are destined to remain in God’s Workshop, where a continuous creative force is ever present to inspire the building of a new Heaven here on earth.
Essentially, humans are citizens of two distinct domains. In the sense of sharing a physical presence, they are citizens of this world. But additionally, having been created by God and for God, they are citizens of Heaven in a nonmaterial, spiritual sense. Some say that the greatest miracles performed by Jesus were not those affecting the human body; instead, His emphasis is on the spiritual, by rightly placing the body under the Spirit’s control.
Faith is God’s initiative, meant to solicit a willful response from every human, to own their true identity as children and co-workers in Him and with Him. Faith then is a return to the Source.
What difference would result if today we consciously turned in faith, to ‘The Source of our being’ before hastening, without a thought, to pick up the entrenched routines of yesterday?
I invite you to meet that challenge now with some fictitious images.
- In retrospect, every effort James made to fulfil his dreams and to become a better person failed, resulting in bitterness, hopelessness and shame. But, now, In the presence of ‘THE SOURCE,’ he sees in God’s Face a look of sheer pity mingled with a conveyance of hope and assurance. God’s loving Hand is reaching out to welcome him. Immediately he feels an unfamiliar strength. In the silence, he resolves to begin each new day from here on with The Source of his life, where victory in the place of defeat promises to reign.
- There is a long distance from his present state to what Mark wants to be.
Now, if it came at all, sleep brought images of what Mark could be, if only; If only, What? Mark desperately tries to answer that elusive question for the rest of the night. But, then, suddenly, one night, God carries him in loving arms across that great divide. Consequently, a new beginning greets Mark. Now, any night when sleep won’t come, Mark calls it ” God’s Calling time”. Therein, he discovers unimagined opportunities to bring light anywhere there is darkness, hope where there is fear, and love that helps to create that new world.
In righteousness, God welcomes each one who deliberately returns to ‘ The Source’ of their being‘. While examining each person as He did on the day of their creation, God breathed into each the breath of life, and we became living souls. Now, by God’s specific design and purpose, the Creator plans tasks for each person for as long as he dwells on earth.’ God saw that everything was good!’
So may it remain until the earthly journey ends. Then on that day, God will apply the key to unlock the casket of our souls to reveal just how many times He remained closer to us than breathing, nearer than hands and feet! Thereby, may we all be equipped with expressions of love and thanksgiving as our Hymn throughout Eternity.
Prayer To Follow This Meditation
Precious Lord,
In Your Hands, we are instruments for building Your desired new world where Your will, as done in Heaven, may also be done here. Therefore, in your mercy, keep within us the vision of Your purpose for our creation and the wherewith all for its fulfilment.
We confess that obedience to the Heavenly vision is not always easy. Sadly, often it becomes lost in the maze of earthly things. Therefore, brighten each day at its birth with the Light of Your Presence, which the darkness of uncertainty can never extinguish. Until at the last, living wholly and simply and continually at the Source of our being, we will advance the Kingdom, the power and the glory of God. Through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.
Hymn: I See A New Heaven
Editorial Notes
1. Biblical quotations are from the NIV translation.
2.What Does “Imago Dei” Mean in the Bible? What is the Image of God? (christianity.com)
https://www.christianity.com/wiki/bible/image-of-god-meaning-imago-dei-in-the-bible.html
3, Hymn: I See A New Heaven – (YouTube)