by Elizabeth Burgard Fulgaro © 2015
One cannot gaze at Jesus, truly reflecting on and contemplating Him—Who He is, what He has done and His faithfulness to every promise without being changed. He is Majesty, Most High and exquisite, infinite, incomprehensible Love. This love manifests in unending mercy for those who seek it and restoration of person to all the riches of relationship with Him from here through eternity with Him.
The needs of the one with eyes constantly fixed on Jesus do not change. There is still need for food and water to sustain the physical body during this lifetime, clothing to protect the physical body from the ravages of climate and circumstances and shelter to give the body a safe dwelling in which to live and rest. But when our eyes are focused on the Magnificent One and our preoccupation is contemplating His glory, our wants change because moment-by-moment, day-by-day we are being transformed by His Truth from the inside out and therewith our lives.
Knowing He is all-powerful and promises to protect and provide for us perfectly like a Shepherd for His flock, the buzzing, swirling preoccupation with worry, fear and figuring everything out can cease. In the quiet which begins to form within, we can begin to listen better. Then hearing His voice, trusting in who He promises to be, we can listen and consequently, purposefully take up the courage to obey.
This is our role: not to hurry after human plans to get “it all” done, but to gaze upon the only Holy One, revel in His superiority and bow to His plans which are always greater than ours. This is an aspect of the freedom to which He calls us and which He is offering ongoing to those who will turn from other mental pre-occupation, look to Him and follow.
Our gaze through contemplation of Him is shifted. Our gaze through considering Him is lifted. We no longer see our lives from a temporal point of view. We see the true path, which no longer leads to physical death, but through it. We understand here is not our ultimate home, thus it can never be perfect and never will be. Here is the valley of our decision.
There are supernatural powers at work. This means their power is greater than ours. There is the supernatural spiritual enemy of God and humanity and there is the Lord God. The spiritual adversary has many wicked henchmen who strive to work evil through human hearts, which then flows through lives to harm one another in every regard. This evil is the anti-thesis of our Lord, bringing with it hate, anger, pride, self-seeking, exaltation of sexual pleasure, greed, self-reliance, self-focus and the like.
But this evil will always remain less than the Victorious One who gave all for us so that we can receive the fullness of our true destiny—life with Him forever.
There is nothing which can snatch us out of His hand, stealing this destiny from us. Nothing.
No matter how much pain, injustice, illness and sorrow we suffer here, our destiny is with Him. Even now in this imperfect place where we currently live, He will work by His Spirit through us to be vessels carrying the desperately needed Living Water of His Truth, Love, Mercy (manifesting in forgiveness), healing and ongoing restoration to others in His Way, by His power, straight from His eternal, all-good, heavenly throne.
Death is not the end. It is a door. Made to love, we miss those who precede us into eternity with a pain which is not merely feeling, but is also tangible physical. Yet we journey on for there is the promise we will meet again in His Presence where finally we will see the One we now seek and contemplate face to face and where we will finally be at bliss-filled, joyous, eternal rest—living right where we have always belonged.
The journey begins and continues by seeking and then contemplating Him. Through these even now we receive many blessed gifts—portions of our full inheritance from Him which is yet to come.
8 We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; 9 persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. 10 We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. 11 For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that his life may also be revealed in our mortal body. 12 So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you…16 Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. 17 For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 18 So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. (2 Cor. 4:8-12,16-18 NIV)
NUGGETS OF GOD’s WISDOM
God’s Wisdom is more precious than gold. This blog by Elizabeth Fulgaro helps readers discover God’s way versus the world’s one “nugget” at a time. http://www.ascendinworship.wordpress.com 
Elizabeth Fulgaro is a wife, mother, writer, inspirational speaker, worship leader, composer, singer & recording artist. She is also a Certified Financial Planner and Accredited Financial Counselor with a heart for helping Christians understand and steward their finances God’s way.
For books, worship cds, Bible studies and teachings written by Elizabeth Fulgaro or to schedule her to come speak to your group please visit www.holyspiritpress.org Music can be purchased and audio clips heard at www.cdbaby.com/Artist/ElizabethFulgaro and on itunes.
Elizabeth is the Founder of Eagles Nest Foundation which provides spiritual support & encouragement to military and military families as well as those in physical and emotional battles (such as cancer, long-term illness) as well as those grieving a loss. For information email elizabeth@eaglesnestfoundation.org or visit www.eaglesnestfoundation.org
Thank you for sharing these prayerful stories. I need to accept this guidance and follow Gods Word and will. I struggle with caring for my spouse who has dementia. Our son is a Marine who will be reassigned closer to us too. Thank God.
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Thank you for sharing. I am praying for you and your family and it blesses me to know what He has me write blesses you. So thankful your Marine son will soon be reassigned closer. Thank you for your family’s service… I am grateful. May the Lord hold you close in a way you can feel. May you know His love and care and be able to rest in it more and more. May He guide you specifically, grant comfort to your spouse, keep your son safe and assure you of His purposes (that He is using you for great good every day.) God bless you!