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Describe your feelings about what is said in the lecture about spirituality involving movement and the metaphor of an “ascent” towards God. Do you feel invited to climb the mountain? Do you have a sense of dread or excitement? Explain.
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I feel invited to climb the mountain, I feel encouraged. In the beginning I did not feel so invited or worthy to climb. I have a sense or both excitement and dread. Excitement because I get to grow my relationship with our loving Father. The feeling of dread because I feel as though I am stumbling trying to climb the stair and even falling back a few steps at some points. I do not want to let God down. Jesus sacrificed his life for our sins because he loves us so deeply and I struggle with basic things. He payed the ultimate price so I wish to keep my gaze fixated upon Him and never look away but I am like Peter at times.
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this letecture was very powerful to me involving movement toward God, Climbing up Jacobs ladder is a great way of explaining it, I look at this walk by faith is one step at a time, we all have fallen short of the glory of God. We are imperfect people trying to better our lifes around ourself. Instead of letting go and letting God.
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The ascent makes sense to me. God’s ways are higher, He is higher. I do not have a sense of dread. I am excited about the climb, rough as it may be.
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I actually feel quite impacted by the metaphore of “ascent” – and find it a useful way of visualising Spiritual growth. I actually read this in the book last night, and have just now listened to it on the lecture, and have really appreciated the different perspective it has provided. I tend to think of Spiritual growth & formation in terms of going deeper into God’s Heart, and their is sufficient validity in that thinking to continue, but the concept of “ascent” supplies a different perpective to it which I will continue to reflect upon.
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I think it is a good metaphor for the most part. I don’t see it as a smooth uphill walk, but times when I might actually descend into a valley, before tackling the next hill. Tonight, at least, I have a sense of peace about it. God is faithful, even when we make complete idiots of ourselves. God’s love is not conditional on whether or not we do the right thing, or say the right thing. He may send correction into our lives, but if we have truly accepted Christ, and what He did for us, then He will never disown us. That is what brings peace.