“And coming to Him as to a living stone which has been rejected by men, but is choice and precious in the sight of God, you also, as living stones, are being built up as a spiritual house for a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.” – 1 Peter 2:4,5
God is a Builder. Everything He does has purpose, and all that is made will culminate in those purposes. All that we are is given to engage in this building process: our bodies, minds, souls, and our consciences.
We experience overlap in our physical (the body), mental (the mind), and our souls (our internal compass). The conscience appears to be where we process impulses of the body, mind, and soul. It is the place from which we guide our choices and is inseparably linked to the powerful part of us which is our heart.
Perhaps you have pondered the reality that your conscience can bother you. This is usually coupled with some regrettable action toward someone or when we act contrary to one of our valued principles. This is an indication of the tremendous influence exerted by conscience.
There is a spectrum of beliefs and actions regarding conscience. Narcissists are on one end of this continuum. By and large in this way of thinking, conscience impulses are sought for what a person or situation can bring for personal benefit. At the other end are people who are riddled with guilt, both imagined and real, who live lives without personal peace because they can never do or be good enough. Most of us live somewhere between these two extremes.
If we have encountered God, we feel awareness that we have missed God’s mark, and there is a part of us which can experience personal guilt. This can promote justifying selfishness or engaging in hurtful behavior which can deny the deep spiritual reality of our conscience. We all manage our consciences within our own personal views of ourselves and our world.
While our physical bodies press upon us and motivate us to respond and act, and our minds consume us, our consciences are our link to our souls. Some people term this a recognition of right and wrong, but perhaps it is more than that. Because we are created in the image of God, we were made to be free. Freedom of the spirit is a gift of great value. Yet bondage appears to reach out around every corner, pressing us to exchange what is greater for lesser. If we re-establish our conscience connection, we can be drawn to a correct trajectory.
To examine the reality of the conscience is to unlock the deeper part of who we are. It opens the door to relational fulfillment coupled with meaningful impact and personal satisfaction. When we live with what the Bible terms a clear conscience, we are liberated. We can live free.
√ Is your conscience dead or alive to God?
√ In what ways do you feel free?
√ In what ways do you feel in bondage?
√ Without direction?
Healthy attachments
While our relationships do not necessarily define us, they do indicate much about who we are.
It would be nice if all of our hoped for attachments to people, jobs, interests, and friends worked out for the best, but you and I both know this may or may not occur. A person is actually quite fortunate if he or she finds life-giving community in relationships. It is important to associate with wise and loving people who know how to treat each other well in public and private. These are persons who engage in giving of themselves every bit as much as they engage in receiving. There are people like this around. They are gifts from God.
When we experience internal turbulence between us and the people with whom we desire to grow in reciprocal love, it is important to make changes. In my mind the best approach is to invite the One who made us into the center of our relationships to help us. The Spirit can be a third Person in our home. It is also helpful to walk with those whom the God Story calls the wise, because it is difficult to rise above where you are when you are isolated, feeling alone, or looking to bad examples for inspiration.
√ Where have you made unhealthy attachments?
√ Where have you experienced healthy connections during your life?
√ What are the avenues which connect and attach you to God?
Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me will live even if he dies, and everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die. Do you believe this?” – John 11:25,26
Building on the Rock with you – sinking sand is sad on so many levels,
Dave and Burnadette
“Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them, may be compared to a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; and yet it did not fall, for it had been founded on the rock. Everyone who hears these words of Mine and does not act on them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. The rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; and it fell – and great was its fall.” – Matthew 7:24-27