{"id":290,"date":"2021-06-16T10:05:48","date_gmt":"2021-06-16T16:05:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/jesuscoaching.life\/?p=290"},"modified":"2023-10-21T14:18:09","modified_gmt":"2023-10-21T20:18:09","slug":"to-what-shall-i-compare-this-to","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/jesuscoaching.life\/?p=290","title":{"rendered":"To What Shall I Compare This To?"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/span><\/p>\n

To what shall I compare this to? (Mathew 11, Luke 13)<\/p>\n

Jesus was and is a master of metaphor and analogy. The Gospels are full of them. <\/p>\n

Why do you suppose that is? Obviously, it helps in our understanding when we compare one thing to another. Our brains make connections through associations. <\/p>\n

I believe that Jesus is speaking in analogies not just to give us mental connections but to relate to us more intimately. I think about the old definition of intimacy that I heard long ago: in-to-me-see. Analogies cause us to consider things more deeply. That is what a good coach does: he\/she draws out what is inside the person by asking curious questions and it\u2019s not just to be curious. It\u2019s to build connection and to help the person.  <\/p>\n

I have found that the best way to listen to Jesus and allow Him to be my coach (see What is Jesus Coaching<\/a>? for more information) is to talk around metaphors, pictures and analogies. I could say that He generally speaks to me in pictures. I don\u2019t mean that I always see a picture, per se. What I do is I share my heart until I say or think about something that can be visually described. So, for example, I had a recent conversation with a friend that was a bit deflating. The word, \u201cdeflating\u201d conjures up a picture in my mind. I continue to talk and share my heart (in-to-me-see) until I come up with a question for Jesus around that word or concept. <\/p>\n

In my example, I didn\u2019t feel totally \u201cdeflated,\u201d I have just lost some air in my tires (another picture-LOL). I feel sad because I really value the relationship. The truth is that my sadness is about not being \u201cin agreement.\u201d That makes me feel disconnected. I continue sharing my heart until I came up with a question. I know that what I REALLY NEED is His \u201cwithness\u201d – a \u201cknowing\u201d that we are in this together – and His perspective. It\u2019s amazing how just a simple readjustment can make all the difference in the world. I have tons of experience of Him meeting me in these types of situations and getting me back on course.<\/p>\n

I know that the question needs to be asked in a posture of Faith, Hope & Love so I review the meanings before finalizing my question. See below. <\/p>\n

So, Jesus, my tires feel like they\u2019ve lost air. I\u2019d like to pull up to a gas station (old style way) and have the attendant check\/fill up my tires. This is what I WANT (see What do you REALLY Want?<\/a> for more discussion on this). Anyway, I recognize it sounds too easy (kindof magic-ish), but that\u2019s what comes to mind and you have to start somewhere. Right? So I continue. Jesus, I know you have done it before and I look to you once more. Tell me more about the air in my tires and feeling disconnected – how do you want to fill my tires?<\/p>\n

Full Disclosure: I walk away (watch a TV program and go to bed). Before I fall asleep, I start meditating on my situation again. I think: it\u2019s not just disconnection. It\u2019s really about feeling \u201cseparated.\u201d I hate feeling separated. I modify the question (that can happen): How do you fill the separation gap?<\/p>\n

Actually, I\u2019ve had a lot of conversations with the Lord around the concept of \u201cseparation.\u201d  That\u2019s a big discussion point for me because I\u2019ve found that separation is the crux of the problem with the Lord. We feel alone, separated from God, and that leads to a lot of self effort, striving and performance based spirituality. Yuk! Coming away from that is wonderful!<\/p>\n

This connection made to the concept of \u201cseparation\u201d brings me to another Scripture: \u201cTherefore every scribe who has become a disciple of the kingdom of heaven is like a head of a household, who brings out of his treasure things new and old.\u201d Mathew 13:52 Essentially, when the Lord speaks, He is always adding to the conversation. \u201cRemember, when I said this … Well, this applies now, but now I\u2019m adding this.\u201d<\/p>\n

So, I restate my question again: How do you fill the gap when there is separation? Ahh! I see (a flash in my mind\u2019s eye) a bridge – but not any kindof bridge. It\u2019s a bridge that fills every gap between the two sides. It\u2019s not like a structure, but a room full of light. When you walk between the two items that were separated, you walk into a room, a room with Jesus. Both sides have access to the room. Both can visit with Jesus. <\/p>\n

I have a lightbulb moment thinking: it\u2019s possible for both of to visit together in the room with Jesus when there is disagreement. I think: Wow, that feels true and brings calm to my soul. The next time this happens I will visualize this picture. No more separation. <\/p>\n

Then, I go on my walk (which is a great place to ponder things) and my understanding continues growing. I think about the room full of light and the Scripture comes to mind: In My Father\u2019s house are many rooms; if that were not so, I would have told you, because I am going there to prepare a place for you. John 14:2 I continue pondering that and more understanding comes … <\/p>\n

I\u2019ll stop there. My goal was to give you an example of how Jesus uses pictures to have a conversation. I\u2019m not saying that is the only way He speaks, but it certainly is common. Why don\u2019t you give it a try? Start by sharing your heart until you get to a word picture. Continue conversing around that word picture until you feel like you get to the \u201ccrux\u201d of what you are really needing\/wanting. Then, continue onto the Q4J.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/span><\/p>\n

Jesus, how do you want to speak to me around that picture?<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/span><\/p>\n

The goal in asking questions of Jesus is to ask in Faith, with Hope and the goal of experiencing His Love – 1 Corinthians 13:13 (but the greatest of these is love). <\/p>\n

Faith – Believing You are who You say You are.<\/p>\n

Hope – Believing things can change (although recognizing it’s not magic) because God is at work and more is going on than I realize.<\/p>\n

Love – Believing You REALLY know me and WANT do to life with me, and do so regardless of what I have done or what has happened or is happening.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

To what shall I compare this to? (Mathew 11, Luke 13) Jesus was and is a master of metaphor and analogy. The Gospels are full of them.  Why do you suppose that is? Obviously, it helps in our understanding when we compare one thing to another. 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