The past four months I have been waiting for one of those Jesus epiphany moments. You know, those moments when you are building a wall or digging holes or planting a garden wondering what you are supposed to learn from it all and then you are able to relate it to how Jesus is working in your life or you find some hidden message after you have shoveled dirt for the one hundredth time (often from one pile to another 20 feet away that you know can't possibly be it's final resting place).
Well, try as I might, no epiphany came; that is until I was away from all the shovels and rakes and found myself deep in the caves, surrounded by God's marvelous creation.
As I stood in awe of the formations that I had only before seen in a few pictures (pictures, might I add, that don't do them any justice; not even close!), I couldn't help but notice how the stalagmites (the formations on the floor of the cave) had stalactites (the formations hanging from the ceiling) above each one; being shaped and built up by the water dripping from it's match above.
And there it was. My Jesus epiphany.
The more that God (a stalactite) pours His Spirit (drops of water) on us (stalagmites) the more we are shaped and are built up towards Him.
Not only are these formations built up by the stalactites above, they resemble them in composition and shape. Likewise, as God pours His Spirit on us, we are built and created in His image.
The stalactites, however, are not the only things that determine the formation of the stalagmites. Just one touch of a formation that is still growing can change the entire course of it's formation. The things of this world (namely people), things that were never originally part of the formation's creation, are introduced and change the course of their lives.
Can you guess where I am going next?
Before the fall of man, there was nothing to inhibit man's (our) growth and relationship with God. No other influence than our creator above, dripping living water down and building us up into His image.
And then it happened.
One small touch, one bite of the apple, changed the course of our lives forever!
But here is the difference between us and the stalagmites:
We have a choice.
We can choose to allow the things of this world to shape and define us, or, we can say no to this world and yes to God.
