I think most people have a four-dimensional God. Their lack of faith is a lack of understanding. They think of God in four-dimensional terms. It’s hard for us to think of God any other way because it’s all we’ve ever known. We’re trapped in or limited by our four dimensional mindset. Faith is unlearning those four dimensional limitations and simplifications.
The Light BarrierI heard Chuck Yeager speak at the Air and Space Museum a few weeks ago. He is the first person to break the sound barrier. I saw some amazing pictures. When a plane breaks through the sound barrier there is a ring that forms around the the plane. It almost looks like the plane is going through some kind of wormhole. I’m not sure if it’s called a shockwave or mockwave, but it’s an awesome sight.
What happens is this–all sound and pressure and resistance that buffets the aircraft shifts from the front of the plane to the back of the plane. It’s the difference between going uphill and downhill, the wind in your face or at your back. When you cross over or break through there is “rest”–silence and stillness. I think heaven, in physic terms, is breaking the light barrier. I think we’ll cross over from our limited four dimensions of spacetime to infinity. Time and distance will disappear. It will be our escape from entropy. The 2nd Law of Thermodynamics will have no jurisdiction on us any more. No more decay. No more rust. That is what Jesus meant in John 3:16 when he said we “should not perish.” What a moment. It’ll be awesome to see cremated remains rematerialize into a glorified body! God will put everything that has fallen apart as a result of the fall back together again. That seems too good to be true, but that is a good approximation of God. He is too good to be true but He is true! I’ve crossed some kind of inflection point or threshold. I don’t have enough faith not to believe in God. At some point you believe what seems too good to be true but has to be true.
InvitationI had breakfast with someone who is on a journey towards Christ. I asked him, “What have you learned?” He said, “Christianity isn’t about doing. It’s about accepting.” What a great distinction. He said, “Christinaity runs on a different fuel.” I love thinking about it in those terms. Grace is what fuels Christianity. It’s not about what we can do for God. It’s about what God has done for us. We sang Invitaccion Fountain at our Bonfire Baptism this weekend and I had this thought. Every good thing that happens in our lives is the result of accepting an invitation. Christ says, “Follow me.” Every good thing that happens afterwards is the byproduct of accepting an invitation. Christ says, “I stand at the door and knock.” All the good things that happen in our lives originated with a knock, knock. Spiritual Maturity is hearing and answering more knocks at the door. The Tipping PointIt’s been fascinating to walk with someone on this journey that started pre-Christ. I’m learning some things along the way. I’ve noticed a few subtle changes. One of them is the language used to talk about Christ. This friend has gone from future tense to past tense language without even realizing it. Somewhere along the way he’s transitioned from 3rd person to 1st person. That point is the tipping point. The tipping point is the moment when everything changes, but you aren’t always aware of it in the here and now. It’s an ex post facto awareness. You look back and realize you feel in love with someone somewhere back there! You cross over the stateline and realize you’ll no longer in Missouri. You’re in Kansas. There is a boiling point, a threshold, a moment of critical mass. It’s tough to see it when you’re in the middle of it. The Litmus Test
Matthew 16:15 is the litmus test. Jesus asks a benign question, “Who do people say that I am?” Then he follows it up with a point-blank, there is no escape, put your cards on the table question. “Who do you say that I am?” That is The Question.
A person’s eternal destiny comes back to the answer to that question. Do you believe Jesus was who he said he was? He was either a liar–he wasn’t who he said he was and he intentionally misled people. He was a lunatic–he wasn’t who he thought he was and was deceived and a deciever. Or he is Lord–he was who he said he was. Peter gives the right answer. “You are the Son of God.” But the test just revealed what he already believed. When did Peter cross the threshold? I don’t think it was at this moment. What it when Jesus said, “Follow me” and he did? Or was it somewhere along the way? I’m not sure. But there was a tipping point along the way where it dawned on him,”I’m in this thing for life.” I’m not sure there is “a moment.” There are “moments.” That’s how it is when you fall in love. There are “moments” that add up. It’s the cumulative effect. Dating GodI think lots of people date God. They want the perks without the commitment. Dating is fine for a while. But when you really love someone, you eventually say “I do.” That pace is different for every person. I asked this friend where they are. He said, “I’m engaged.” That is a good analogy. There is the intention to commit. He likened baptism to saying “I do.” All analogies break apart at their extremes, but that’s an interesting why of thinking about it.
Are you dating, engaged, or married to God?