“Emerald in the Rough”

Most recently, God has given me a new understanding about suffering and intimate His role in our lives. Even as I write and read my own words, He brings revelations upon my heart. His love and grace speaks of the intimate connection that He has overwhelmingly invested in each of us. No other 2nd, 3rd, 4th or millionth chance could be given by any one else BUT God, because every bit of us is part of His carefully planned purpose. While reading 1 Corinthians 12:12 the other day, the weight of this hit me.

“For just as the body is ONE and has many members of the body, through many, are ONE body, so it is with Christ.”

I have read this verse many times in my life and looked no deeper than the word. Where does intimacy come into play you ask? The key parts of this verse are those referring to being ONE with the body of Christ (both in a church community but also, on an individual level). If thought about, being “ONE” with the body of Christ is quite personal and intimate. When we become born again, we become one with God in a physical, emotional, mental and spiritual way. Just like in the act of sex, all of Christ and ourselves is connected on an exclusively coupled intimacy that no other could understand or have; much of why sex between a married couple is so sacred. In our single lives and into our marriage God is our spouse, our intimate with whom we share a level of closeness like none other.

Now, you can see why, in such an intense level of intimacy, God understands EVERYTHING in our lives. Christ is literally a part of us. He feels when are sad, in pain, sorrow, when we praise Him and experience joy, 3 fold. Imagine how unimaginable and unbearable all of those things would feel to us if we took His place. Our senses would drive us to a total breakdown. Moreover, Christ gave up His crown to become human and because His experience as a human, it adds weight to the intimacy with us. TRUST ME when I say that Christ UNDERSTANDS. Everything that we feel, He feels. Everything that happens to us, happens to Him. This is why our suffering is so close to His heart.

My newfound understanding of Christ’s oneness with me, given me more reason to treat my body honourably and respect Him in that. It is my prayer that He will reveal the sacred nature of oneness with Him to you, therefore bringing you to a new perspective in your relationship with Him.

Please, If anyone has anything to add to this post, DO! I would love to hear what God has revealed in your heart about this subject. E-mail me and I will edit my post to include your comments.

Note: All published blogs by Natalie M. Steele are protected