In The Spirit Our Daily Course

In The Spirit

Seeing with eyes of the Spirit: From Ez. 1

Body, Soul, Heart, Mind & Spirit and our Daily Transactions

I have been doing some contemplating about how we have this phenomenal ability to function on a daily basis and within each of our specific vocations, no matter what we do, and still remain in the sense and light of the Spirit/spirit and Spirit filled life. Specifically in our present culture, extreme business and technological enormity and constant noise bombardment.

That regardless of our doing even the most simple of work such as stacking shelves in a grocery store to the extreme of multi-tasking in a multimillion dollar corporation, and that we are spirit filled, and are being conscious of our walk and desire to have God interact in our daily activities. This all happening as we each go about our duties, while unconsciously there are deep things going on behind the scenes within each of us, and all happening at the speed of light or faster, within every single mega-second-flash of time as we identify with it. (I'm sure I'm not telling you anything you don't already know)

Our complete being or should I say, our human-being, since we are not animal or mineral, but a spirit and soul being of great mystery and complexity, and existing on a scale of enormous incomprehensible magnitude. Having within each of us a spiritual dynamic that is capable of transcending every conceivable comprehensive thought.

Allow me to share with you some of these thoughts and see if you can make an observation of what I perceive is happening within our inner micro universe.

How I came to ponder these things was after reading and marvelling at Ezekiel's writings of his spiritual vision and encounter with God from chapter 1. I was looking at these verses and considering whether or not God was giving us a glimpse into how our human-being, our spirit and Holy Spirit operate by viewing this spectacular picture presented by Ezekiel. Considering he had no reference point to affirm his magnificent vision, this is remarkable. Please look at this objectively with me as I share my investigation and try to express what I considered as simple revelation. Since we with veiled sight try to look into the mystery of God and with all the multilayered intricacy of his eternal being, I am sure that I will fail miserably in my deductions; please bear with me. I am not trying to ad to or take away from what Ezekiel was experiencing. He had no reference point with which to refer to as to this remarkable encounter. I am simply exploring our spirit and God's unfathomable Spirit, to consider some understanding with my finite mind. My deductions are mine and mine alone.

I chose to use this particular scripture for reference only because it gives us a distinct glimpse into the majesty of our creator, who is beyond comprehension. In saying that we as human beings are a complex creature of great mystery still being unfurled by the many avenues of mans investigation. Does science, neuroscience, and the medical field hold all the answers to our complex makeup and design? Not as yet!

⁴ I looked, and I saw a windstorm coming out of the north—an immense cloud with flashing lightning and surrounded by brilliant light. The center of the fire looked like glowing metal, ⁵ and in the fire was what looked like four living creatures. In appearance their form was human, ⁶ but each of them had four faces and four wings. ⁷ Their legs were straight; their feet were like those of a calf and gleamed like burnished bronze. ⁸ Under their wings on their four sides they had human hands. All four of them had faces and wings, ⁹ and the wings of one touched the wings of another. Each one went straight ahead; they did not turn as they moved. ¹⁰ Their faces looked like this: each of the four had the face of a human being, and on the right side each had the face of a lion, and on the left the face of an ox; each also had the face of an eagle. ¹¹ Such were their faces. They each had two wings spreading out upward, each wing touching that of the creature on either side; and each had two other wings covering it's body. ¹² Each one went straight ahead. Wherever the spirit would go, they would go, without turning as they went. ¹³ The appearance of the living creatures was like burning coals of fire or like torches. Fire moved back and forth among the creatures; it was bright, and lightning flashed out of it. ¹⁴ The creatures sped back and forth like flashes of lightning. ¹⁵ As I looked at the living creatures, I saw a wheel on the ground beside each creature with its four faces. ¹⁶ This was the appearance and structure of the wheels: They sparkled like topaz, and all four looked alike. Each appeared to be made like a wheel intersecting a wheel. ¹⁷ As they moved, they would go in any one of the four directions the creatures faced; the wheels did not change direction as the creatures went. ¹⁸ Their rims were high and awesome, and all four rims were full of eyes all around. ¹⁹ When the living creatures moved, the wheels beside them moved; and when the living creatures rose from the ground, the wheels also rose. ²⁰ Wherever the spirit would go, they would go, and the wheels would rise along with them, because the spirit of the living creatures was in the wheels. ²¹ When the creatures moved, they also moved; when the creatures stood still, they also stood still; and when the creatures rose from the ground, the wheels rose along with them, because the spirit of the living creatures was in the wheels. Ezek. 1:4-21

I am not trying to present any new thought in view of our elaborate make-up, and I'm sure there are other writers who have written on similar subjects who have attacked these thoughts with much different painted and picturesque strokes of pen and brush. I am not a neuroscientist mapping and investigating the complex human brain. I am just a simple observer. (I use the term Spirit/spirit, meaning God's Spirit and ours.)

What I am presenting, are to me, some basic analogies in observance of what I see transpiring in our nature, as human, and eternal (internal) soul and spirit. Since we are made in the image of God and can have the mind of Christ and be like Jesus, howbeit in a manner subject to each of us individually and Jesus did pray in John 17, that they would be in us or "present" in us. How we measure that will have great effect upon how this transpires in our thought life and walking in the Spirit.

Let me show you what I mean, and I will start with our bodies. I am considering this with regard to all mankind and also with regard to our disposition, meaning having all our faculties, especially being of sound mind. Our body, should we be born with some kind of disease; MS, MD, paraplegic or other crippling characteristic, or mental disorders, both of which there are many, may hinder certain functions with regard to how responsive we may be, but it is the mind, will, heart and spirit of each of us which is the vast determining factor in what I am going to express.

I am placing all of this within the significance of being a redeemed, active and mature born again believer and participant in God's business and Kingdom desires. You will see and understand this as we further investigate.

Body: Regardless of our vocation, from stock clerk to corporate executive we each can be very busy doing whatever it is we have put our hands and minds to. So we will be in agreement, that busyness is firstly at the center of our everyday experience. I'm confining this to our vocational environment alone. The body therefore operates and functions to its required capacity for the task at hand, from the moment we arise, till the moment we are required to sleep, and everything that goes on within the body is on some level similar with each one of us.

Mind: The seat of consciousness, being completely aware of what our body is doing, anywhere from our exercise routine or not, to walking to the bus, subway, riding a bike, driving our car, motorcycle, we are on an information highway; to physically stocking those shelves, dealing with customers, managing phones, business meetings, multitasking in and from our corporate office.

So we are seeing that our body is busy and our mind and conscious thoughts are about our daily dealings. At the very same moment our redeemed mind is also alive and is making itself known by its activity in filtering any ungodly influences coming at us from the innumerable distractions, such as music, mental pictures, background conversations, fleshly thought, what comes across our line of sight, and what we might pick-up through receptive sensory perception, via atmosphere, circumstances, and even spiritual activity of both light and darkness. I am sure we agree there is a lot going on, a plethora of thought, distraction (white noise) and spirit activity.

Our soul man: (emotion, senses) being extremely active is picking up on our environment, atmosphere and these influences are also speaking to our mind, at this exact same instance. These are like wheels, all with multitudes of eyes constantly spinning, moving to and fro, up and down and all about; as Ezekiel is visioning in his experience with God's presence.

Our heart: (Subject to our soul and spirit and also Holy Spirit) Its influences enter the picture bringing with it, not only present activities, but also influences through memory. Again in pictures, feelings, emotion, meditation and at times seeking stimulation through an action of desire. We have to wonder at this point; does our heart have the capacity to think? Some have believed it does. Jesus, "He knew what they were thinking, in their hearts." Luke 5:22.

"May the eyes of your heart be enlightened." Paul, Eph. 1

Again this being another wheel with many eyes within it that is spinning.

All the while we are still going about our distinctive duties and daily tasks. But ever resounding in the background are all of these micro cosmic fireworks of thought influences that affect our actions, movements, judgments, of cause and effect, action and reaction. Micro atoms of stimulus being shot through the universe of our consciousness that affect our every second of peace and sanity. While having a conversation making million dollar decision or cutting open another box to go on the shelf, are our thoughts of the exact moment as well as, lunch, music, what our wife, children, friends, etc are doing, the next meeting, bible study, men's night out, traffic noise, background conversation, desire, taste, likes, dislikes, and odours; to feeling our loose shoelaces, pains in our body, bored, stimulated, thirsty for coffee, tea, milk, soda, or water, text messages, and computer email. The thing is we aren't even bothered by it all, this is the norm and this is only a minute part of yet an even more complex universal stimuli. And I haven't even mentioned the stimulus of our emotions coming into play within our everyday activities.

Do you grasp what I'm getting at?

There is a complex honeycombed universe within our person, alive and teeming with life. If you can imagine your mind, soul and spirit functioning like an enormous airport and each thought, influence, sense, smell, sound, feeling, are in line awaiting a place to land and the controller (your thought processor) is busy sorting, observing, watching the screen and directing each and every subjective force with all the finesse of a conductor waving a wand directing a symphony. Remember this is all happening at the speed of light or faster.

During this immense dance of activity and depending upon your redemptive strengths, much of your thinking, processing, culminating, sorting, filing, deleting, storing, observing, day-dreaming, musing, will also be affected by another powerful influence in the action of Holy Spirit, speaking to both mind and spirit.

Now if that's not enough, yet in the midst of these goings-on, is our will bidding for its moment and trying to control the controller by bullying its way to the front of the line at the airport. The will if ruled by the soul, feelings and emotion, gets loose, there could be complete chaos, delays, and all kinds of emotional, and mental troubles. Consider our not so virtuous attitudes at times.

Will of God = Spirit of God influenced

Will of Self = Pride of mind and soul, strong will attitudes, I am right, or I have the right to respond thus

Will of Heart = Soul, fleshly, highly emotional, senses, feelings

Will of spirit = desire for will of God, Kingdom thinking, Christ likeness

Now depending upon the strength(s) in your spirit man, encouraged, listening to and wanting for Kingdom thinking and ideologies or having the "mind of Christ," will govern how powerful this all effects your will (desire) to have control through and of your spirit as it rises (only at your release) above soul, mind, heart, emotions, feelings and senses even. All these wheels are spinning nonstop and the eyes of your heart are at the center of "seeing" what will transpire. Unfortunately we are unable to focus with much depth within the complexity of this inner universe.

When we gaze at a spinning wheel, there is an optical illusion that takes place, and it appears that it or part of it is standing still. Just imagine, that all these eyes are actually standing motionless and able to see everything with extreme clarity that is happening within every millisecond within our being.

John McEnroe on tennis said: "The ball is coming at you at 100+ miles per hour, but you see it in slow motion."

In my observation, these are the eyes:

Mind = intellect

Soul = emotion

Heart = will

spirit = spirit man

Holy Spirit; who sees all, in heaven and earth.

Now somewhere we have made a conscious decision, a commitment, activating our desire to enter and remain within the realm of the Kingdom. Somewhere we said, "I want what God wants!"

We have consigned ourselves to His Will or His will to be done in us. We want the NOW of God affecting us. This will be the powerful governing nature that will guide you from moment A to moment B and so on. We have set ourselves on a course with an end result and with the help of God through his many influences we will get there. The tracks are laid down for our think engine to run on, but along the line are hindrances, thieves and bandits, killers and destroyers, rock slides of delay, derailment, and other rail lines set to remove you from your destination. Other courses of distraction, such as temptation in every form, leading to the numerous valleys of death. Back at the airport are controllers contending for your mind, emotions and heart, because they know if you can fly above the track, you can see what is coming your way. But if they can keep you grounded, in a fog of disorder, weather-beaten, a doom and gloom atmosphere, then they have you and the eyes of your spiritual heart being blinded keeps you from rising above the conditions of soul and your soaring spirit is trapped, unable to rise on the wings of the eagle. Is.40:31

(The eagle has the ability to see telescopically, 4 times greater than us.)

These are the things we contend with from moment to moment on a daily basis. We are truly, awesome and wonderfully made!

Much of our daily consciousness is effected by what we take in through our eyes. Jesus had something to say about this.

"The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are healthy, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eyes are unhealthy, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness!" Matt. 6:22-23

So we can agree we are in a constant sea of thought, and stimulus of every magnitude possible and yet are able to navigate our way through our day. Some of us have less hassles than others and there are numerous reasons, part of this being our personalities, mind-set, of how we perceive not only ourselves, but how we believe God actually sees us. There are multitudes of other causes also.

Jesus was concerned for the disciples as he is for us in how we see life, (and this having an enormous sphere of influence) because the eye transforms what it visualises into thought, which = action and reaction. Not only does this affect our thinking, but our understanding and our knowledge.

So back to my investigation. My resolve is that we are extremely complex and created by God who is indeed a being of unexplainable enormity. What a pleasure we have in coming to know him, even in our most finite way. I look forward to Heaven, it will be a blast!

(The following Video by Don Potter, does not mean I support or am in agreement with any said ministry, whoever it may be. I like and enjoy Don Potters music and this being one of them. So enjoy or simply disregard. Thx L.)