From the side it looks like this:
From above it looks like this:
Here are two more containers of Heart, Mind, Soul, and Strength, viewed from above.
From this perspective they are identical to the first. But look at a side view of them and you can see differences. Neither is full. They contain different amounts of Heart, Mind, Soul, and Strength.
Both are simultaneously the image of the first, but not equal to the first, or even the same as the other.
Now look what happens when we add them together:
We get a perfect image of the first.
Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it. (1Cor 12:27)I’m sure by now you’ve figured out that Container 1 stands for Christ, the other two for all of us, and the pictures for the gifts and talents that God has given us.
I wonder what the "Querci Container" looks like? Has it changed over the years? Have I done a good job investing my talents, learning from others, and building up my likeness, or name, into a more complete image of Christ in Heart, Mind, Soul, AND Strength? Or have I built up some areas and neglected others?
Querci, I love the way you make things simple. My favorite new name for you is Ambassador of Simplexity :)
ReplyDeleteAccording to this pictoral metaphor, it seems to me that when we admire another human, we become able to replicate some of their container contents into our own container.
That's why it's so IMPORTANT to love and appreciate people that are different than ourselves!!!!
I admire you very much Querci. And I'm still working on replicating some of your assets...
admire
ReplyDelete>L admirare-to wonder at.
to regard with pleased surprise, or with wonder mingled with esteeem, approbation, or affection.
I use this word because I think it speaks of love with respect. I think love should always include respect, to be genuine. However, OFTEN, I see that people try loving others without valuing the importance of respecting the other.
Here's to striving to respect, as liberally as Jesus did, the God in others...that we may all expand our capacity to be our highest selves.
That is an excellent distinction Halcy. I want to remember that.
ReplyDelete..."Ambassador of Simplexity"...I think Imma gunna add that to my profile!
Live long and prosper, Ambassador of Simplexity!
ReplyDeleteNamaste, Halcyon8! I think of that concept, i.e., namaste, as a good summation of love and respect. Because the reason why I love and respect you is because of the God in you.
I was thinking about how we all have certain "heart, mind, soul, and strength" and we are supposed to love God with ALL of it. How could we even love God with it unless it was something we all possessed? They are qualities that God gave us, right? So, it makes me think that these qualities have something to do with being created in God's "image" and "after his likeness". Whatever qualities we have God must have, but he IS them in their perfection. If I say God made me with heart, mind, soul, and strength, then I am made in the image and after the likeness of perfect heart, mind, soul, and strength.
ReplyDeleteIn this respect we would all be equal. We are equal in the fullness or completeness of the image, but we are all very different too. Not any one of us can be an image of God in his ultimate perfection, but we can be a complete and unique image. Together we build a better and better image of God.
What if I didn't know you, but there were different images made of you, one a sculpture, one a painting, one a photo, one written? Wouldn't they all equally be images of you? But they would each individually give me different kinds of information about you. And supposing they were all well crafted images they would all give me equally good information about you.
So what I am saying is that we can all really be proud of our own uniqueness and love ourselves and the image that we were made, and not have to feel like we are better, or less than anyone else (that is, when we are perfected in love). I like that. I'm great! Your're great! We're all great!