Straddlin’ Two Worlds
Well now, Buttercup, you better come on up here on this here front porch and try not to trip over that there ol’ bullfrog ‘a-sittin’ by the step like he is ‘a-guardin’ the whole property. He has been ‘a-starin’ at me with them buggy eyes like he knows somethin’ I don’t. Sit yourself down right over here on this here stool for a spell, ‘cause I got somethin’ on my heart that has been ‘a-bouncin’ ‘round a whole lot louder than an ol’ goat ‘a-kickin’ a tin bucket. It’s this here truth from Ephesians 2:6, where the Bible says, “Jesus done raised us up and seated us with Him in the heavenly realms.” Now that right there will make a possum shout for all he’s worth and then some.
See, a Christian really lives in two very different places at once. Paul says in Colossians 3:1-4 that “since we been raised with Christ, we oughta be ‘a-settin’ our sights on Heaven, not just this dusty ol’ earth.” So, here we are, ‘a-walkin’ around in these weakening earthly bodies, ‘a-payin’ bills, feedin’ chickens, and ‘a-tryin’ not to lose our sanctification in traffic, while at the same time we are done spiritually seated right with up there with Jesus in glory. Talk about livin’ in two dimensions. No wonder we’re done ‘a- feeli’ real stretched thinner than a biscuit ‘a-bein’ fed to a big ol’ family of twelve.
It’s kinda like travelin’ to another country. You may be ‘a-standin’ in Israel, but your passport still says United States. You live in their culture, but your identity ‘a-stayin’ the same. And let me tell you, Butterbean, if you don’t understand the exchange rate, you might just be tippin’ somebody fifty dollars might to carry your suitcase. Jes’ ask me how I might know that. Ha! Ha!
As believers, we done got them there heavenly riches, treasures, and resources ‘a-waitin’ for us, but they ain’t just for someday when we come ‘a-floatin’ into glory like a holy balloon, no sir. The heavenlies also mean that there supernatural realm is ‘a-happenin’ right here and now. God has done given us spiritual provisions that we can be ‘a-drawin’ from right here and now today. Peace when life is ‘a-spinnin’, strength when we’re ‘a- feelin’ weaker than a newborn calf, wisdom when our brains are ‘a-feelin’ like mashed potatoes. These wonderful gifts are ours ‘cause we done already belong to Jesus.
So, we gotta be ‘a-prioritizin’ the things of God, liftin’ our eyes above the daily grind, and ‘a-rememberin’ that our real life is hidden with Christ. When we do that, this here ol’ world stops ‘a-feelin’ so heavy, and Heaven starts ‘a-feelin’ a whole lot closer.
Father, thank You for raisn’ us up with You and givin’ us a home in the heavenlies. Help us be ‘a-settin’ our minds on what really matters, ‘a-drawin’ from Your strength, Your wisdom, and Your hope. Be ‘a-teachin’ us to live on earth while ‘a-thinkin’ Heaven. In Jesus’ holy name, Amen.
Well, mercy me, Junebug, that there reality oughta’ be ‘a-stickin’ to your ribs like warm peach cobbler with some o’ that there vanilla ice cream ‘a-meltin’ on top. Now go on out there and be ‘a-livin’ like somebody who done knows they’re already seated with Jesus even while their feet are still ‘a-standin’ on the world’s dirt. Ain’t our God real amazin’?
With joy,
Gwen
