Read an article by Justin Holcomb on the Resurgence blog about Rodin's two sculptures, "The Hand of the Devil" and "The Hand of God". It's a picture of spiritual warfare.

I looked up each sculpture and saw more profoundly what the article was talking about. Here are brief snippets from the article and clearer pictures of the sculptures.

Hand of the Devil

 "...Just as the female figure begins to take shape and arise out of the swirling mass, the hand pushes it back into nothingness...The devil loves to try to confuse us and keep us trapped in chaos." 
  Image:"Hand of the devil" by Rodin (image source)

Hand of God

"The second hand, a right hand, is rough, strong, and active-looking. Rodin designed a powerful-looking hand that holds an intertwined man and woman, carrying them upward into life from the chaos of the unformed clay...

Rather than being alone, the figures in the hand of God are together with each other. Instead of being lost, the figures are cradled, suggesting that they have been found. And rather than being driven away into chaos, the figures are being lifted out of chaos. Beneath both hands there is a swirling mass of clay, which symbolizes chaos. The hand of God seems intent on bringing meaning out of randomness, purpose out of chaos."



Image: "The Hand of God" by Rodin (img src)


I'm convinced of battles in the spiritual realm, but even more compelled to thank my God who secures me in these days of trial and tribulation. The Battle has already been won.

weaned child

After an evening of fretfulness and heaviness, the burdensome cloud has cleared.

Safe, sound and quieted I am in His arms..

Freedom. Weightlessness. Undeserved grace.

Thank you Lord. 

The wrestling and not giving into my own carnal counsel was worth it. So many opportunities and half-truths to have clung onto but my God is faithful.

He
... clears the way
... levels my path
... plucks out the lies of the enemy
... casts out my fears
... and graces my feet to walk in His way

Each step ordered by you is grace.

It was the last scene in my dream. It was a brief moment, but striking one.

A man was perched on a huge rock by a lake/ocean with an instrument. He was playing music with his wife next to him. His instrument didn't look like one, but sounded like a violin. The notes were extravagantly joyous and high.

I cognitively knew that they were in Korea. Missionaries I think they were.

But they were just playing music. It wasn't even recognizable worship music - it was the pure sound of a violin at its melodious height of glory.

I don't know why they were in Korea or why they were in that forest area, but this is an image I'll carry as I think of "missionaries" - men and women who are like trees planted by waters, joyously making music in the deepest ends of the earth. Even though there are few who can initially decipher their songs, men and women whose faithful lives are seen, heard and used by God.

Thankful for a God who is faithful - I have a feeling there are greater stories yet to come.

perfect me

Lately, being pressed about giving up my own standards and rights. It's wonderfully freeing because at the same time, God is revealing himself to me as a plentiful, abundant giver - as one who has perfect oversight and insight into my life. It's like he's saying, "You can trust me completely... let go of your standards and rights.."

Being a perfectionist is revealing itself in the ways I hurt and criticize people. My standards on how things should be, how people ought to behave have ended up being hurtful and dismissive. I'm prone to dismissing people if they violate a standard or principle that I strongly believe in. This isn't the gospel operating in me at all.

"Jesus, the most asymmetrical human life, was never angry when he was violated and abused. He always loved first and loved more, and he always will." (desiringgod article)

Saddened to see the self-serving vein of my perfectionist heart, but at the same time, hopeful that by God's grace, I will become more like Christ each day.

perfected in faith

I read back to my old xanga site and found an entry I had written that's still relevant to me today. (see below) Over the years, I've found that lessons about faith don't change by much. My God's voice and character remain the same. They are repeated lessons about the same things.

To my chagrin, I was a lot more malleable and believing 5 years ago. The quality of my waiting was better. I was quick to trust in my God and leave all matters into His hands. Now, I'm more prone to being impatient and looking away to what I want. This is the walk of faith though - sometimes you walk backwards before moving forward again. By God's grace, he gently turns my chin back towards him. And even in my weakness, somehow I am strengthened to have the quality of faith that is pleasing in His eyes.

Even though this season of waiting stinks, I'm discovering golden moments that chip away at my unbelief and expose faulty beliefs about God. It's painful and hurtful to be this exposed, but it's probably the most loving thing my Lord can be doing in my heart.

Although she'd be a bit horrified that I'm still waiting on the same things as a 31 year old, my 26 year old self would still say with confidence:

"More and more, I realize how I NEED to go through these times of processing and waiting. My character needs work, certain things need fine-tuning and etc. There's a reason and timing for everything and it's all out of love. God is good."

Agreed wholeheartedly. Each day of this season of waiting is a new lesson that I wouldn't trade for anything else.

My God is good.

11/5/2007



I remember during freshman year in college my pastor told us there was a reason why certain things weren't revealed and how timing is everything. He made us visualize a roll of toilet paper. In order to get to the core, you first have to pass through all the sheets. There's also an element of adventure and processing as well... for instance, if the core (that one thing) was given to you and revealed to you right now, you might not be ready to receive it.

More and more, I realize how I NEED to go through these times of processing and waiting. My character needs work, certain things need fine-tuning and etc. There's a reason and timing for everything and it's all out of love. God is good.