In the movie Inception, technology allows people to tap into others’ minds by dream invasion. Dom Cobb, the flawed hero in the flick, lost his wife Mal when she committed suicide due to the delusional effects of memory inception within a dream state. Mal, however, keeps vividly appearing to Dom when he’s in a dream state. Finally seeing the need to let this pseudo Mal go, Dom says to her, “I can’t imagine you with all your complexity, all your perfection, all your imperfection. . . . You’re just a shade of my real wife. . . . I’m sorry, you are just not good enough.”
At times, the Jesus we have in our minds is just a shade of His true reality. Instead of experiencing the power of His presence within us (1 Peter 1:5; Colossians 1:27), we grasp for Him merely when we’re in a state of fear or need. Instead of living with “great expectation” (1 Peter 1:3) of being with Him forever, we experience a dull and persistent dread as we encounter the imperfections of life.
Peter provides some words to snap us out of our dreamlike state and to help us embrace the reality of life in Jesus: “[We] love Him even though [we] have never seen Him. Though [we] do not see Him now, [we] trust Him” (1 Peter 1:8). Through our “faith” (1 Peter 1:5), we experience a moment-by-moment “joy” (1 Peter 1:8) that comes from knowing Jesus and walking with Him. When we face trials (1 Peter 1:6), we’re not alone. Jesus allows us to be tested by the fire of difficulties so that our faith in Him will be purified and perfected (1 Peter 1:7). And one day, our “reward for trusting Him will be the salvation of [our] souls” (1 Peter 1:9).
Don’t simply exist in a shade of Jesus. By faith, experience His true reality today.
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: Genesis 24:28-67
More:
In 1 Corinthians 13:12, Paul describes the challenge we face in striving to live by faith in this life. Note at the end of the verse how intimately God knows us.
Next:
How have you been experiencing only a shade of Jesus? How will you walk by His power and presence today?
conmeo on January 15, 2012 at 11:06 pm
Thank you Tom for this encouraging devotion. I really need this. Thank God for this community.
tom felten on January 15, 2012 at 11:11 pm
It’s great to have you in the ODJ community conmeo. I’m so thankful for these words from Peter and what they reveal about Jesus’ reality and His loving work in our lives!
mike wittmer on January 17, 2012 at 4:10 pm
This is a convicting challenge. I wonder how surprised I’ll be when I see Jesus face to face. How different will he be from the image I have cultivated in my mind? I know I should allow the Bible to inform what I believe about Jesus, but I wonder how much sin has clouded my mind. How much of the real Jesus am I missing? Makes me excited for his return!