The part that stuck with me was that the pit burns away the fake and the real you is left. That's the part that grows. It reminds me that real growth and transformation cannot be built on anything other than truth. Because truth was built to last. And the only truth we can build and rely on is Jesus Christ.
You spotted the critical part, Renee. The pit burning away everything is what makes us realize, often painfully, that without God, we will not find peace. And also, more positively, all we need is God. Everything else we think we need, like financial success, comfort, and status, are just false idols.
That's what the church fathers were doing when they ventured into the desert for their ascetic practices. They were intentionally stripping away everything, voluntarily entering the pit, in order to strip away everything and grow closer to God.
Love what you said, "The only truth we can build and rely on is Jesus Christ."
The stage I keep sitting with is the darkness. You list it, but I think there's a whole tile hiding inside it: the waiting. Notice how often the cave has a clock on it. Jonah's three days in the belly. Christ's three days in the tomb. The dark isn't only a fight, it's a duration you have to stay inside before the return comes. Most versions of this story rush that part, because waiting doesn't film well. But it might be where the actual change happens. Looking forward to where this goes.
That’s a great insight about the duration in the Pit. There’s a time element that can’t be skipped. Otherwise, why didn’t Jesus resurrect immediately? Why three days for him and Jonah?
I’ve at least got a partial answer which I’ll share in the next post. And will continue to think on it.
The part that stuck with me was that the pit burns away the fake and the real you is left. That's the part that grows. It reminds me that real growth and transformation cannot be built on anything other than truth. Because truth was built to last. And the only truth we can build and rely on is Jesus Christ.
You spotted the critical part, Renee. The pit burning away everything is what makes us realize, often painfully, that without God, we will not find peace. And also, more positively, all we need is God. Everything else we think we need, like financial success, comfort, and status, are just false idols.
That's what the church fathers were doing when they ventured into the desert for their ascetic practices. They were intentionally stripping away everything, voluntarily entering the pit, in order to strip away everything and grow closer to God.
Love what you said, "The only truth we can build and rely on is Jesus Christ."
Amen.
Billy this is OUTSTANDING. Keep the good (God) stuff coming dude. You have a gift and it’s so appreciated to see how you honor God through it.
Thanks, Justin. Doing my best to use what God gave me. More good stuff coming :-)
The stage I keep sitting with is the darkness. You list it, but I think there's a whole tile hiding inside it: the waiting. Notice how often the cave has a clock on it. Jonah's three days in the belly. Christ's three days in the tomb. The dark isn't only a fight, it's a duration you have to stay inside before the return comes. Most versions of this story rush that part, because waiting doesn't film well. But it might be where the actual change happens. Looking forward to where this goes.
That’s a great insight about the duration in the Pit. There’s a time element that can’t be skipped. Otherwise, why didn’t Jesus resurrect immediately? Why three days for him and Jonah?
I’ve at least got a partial answer which I’ll share in the next post. And will continue to think on it.
Thanks for the comment.