12/10/2021 -“I am amazed that I believe in Christ” – 2 minute clip – so sublime, I don’t know where to begin to articulate it. More…
Funny, I just recently posted a youtube clip of Jordan Peterson, I seem to recall it was his presentation on “12 rules for life”. But, once again, it is not about the messenger, Jordan Peterson in this case. I am curious how the Holy Spirit led me to pray for Jordan Peterson. I have reflected that I should pray more for souls in the public eye, particularly political leaders. I will just note here that God commanded Jeremiah in Jeremiah 14:11 – “Do not pray for these people.”; and it should be noted that he is talking about the people of Israel, His chosen people. I am becoming increasingly resolved to stay grounded in His word and in prayer , so that I might discern the directing voice of the Holy Spirit. As in my faith itself, it is a gift from God and not from me.
So, then I run into this short two munute clip from Jordan. It is so sublime and touching, and I am not alone in that observation. What is so astounding to me, is there are 17,804 comments on this short clip . And certainly , I can find souls who appear to be in different stages of faith, that is to be expected. But I can’t find anger in any one of them, certainly not “vitrile” that is so characteristic in our world today, a world that has turned their back on God , with the result that our worst global pandemic is rampant narcissism. That just stikes me as amazing how seemingly unique these comments are.
I can’t explain how Jordan says he finds God’s absolute truth of His incomprehensible power and love so terrifying. I saw one comment that postulated is that sudden realization that : “I put Jesus on the Christ”. Jordan does not address personal sin here though in this short segment.
He also asserts: “I don’t even know what would happen to you if you fully believed!” Maybe, it is coming to grips with the paradoxical truth in Mark 8:35: “For whoever desires to save his life, will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospels will save it.” Prior to be being transformed by the Holy Spirit through His indwelling presence, that is undeniably terrifying. But isn’t that a preferred state to be in , as opposed to a self professed lifelong christian that hasn’t even touched upon that truth, let alone embraced it. Only God can measure a heart, but such a soul may still be a “future” Christian. We do indeed need to die to “self” and life in this world. As Jesus noted, you can’t serve two masters. So continued prayer for Jordan, both thanksgiving and continued petition. By the grace of God, you would never go back, even at the cost of your life. It is utterly a foolhardy proposition , not even worthy of a 2nd thought. And if it involved martyrdom, how would you see that through? Answer: By prayer and His grace, just as he did for the early church martyrs. Always grace, from accepting faith to the end of this life’s journey. So, I didn’t explain it, but it is in fact explained by God’s word.
And in general, I put on my to do list to search out a prayer ap that can ding me at prescribed times during my day. With just a name coming across my screen, I can pray for hundreds instead of just a handful. And , I want to make sure I don’t forget a prayer of thanksgiving, perhaps more than once, when God has answered a prayer petition.
Always connected by His grace and through prayer!: We are all one in the body of Christ. But, we are engaged in different missions within that unified body. Prayer removes the loneliness of a particular tough mission that on the surface seems so isolated.
- Funny too albeit on a lesser note, I was just reading Soren Kierkegaard the other night that gave me a quick thought provoking mental challenge on “union synchronicity”. Keeping it in perspective, it does have a Romans 12:2 sidebar to it that should not be ignored.
Blessings!
Jimmy