“A Cat Will Assume the Shape of its Container” – Anonymous

The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons.  Such teachings come through hypocritical liars, whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron. They forbid people to marry and order them to abstain from certain foods, which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and who know the truth. For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, because it is consecrated by the word of God and prayer.” 1 Timothy 4:1-5

We often assume the attitude, or thinking, or the behavior of those we hang out with the most. In other words, we will assume the shape of those who try to contain us. But to be people of faith, sometimes we are called to abandon the familiar to enter into the unknown. Cat’s are the poster children for getting themselves into the unknown. We have a cat that will jump into any cupboard, jump through any door that opens to her – leaping in before she actually takes a look. She has no idea what lies behind that door, or what is inside that cupboard – in she goes, as if following some hidden spirit that is calling her. This is often why a cat will assume the shape of its container – if they dive into a box, bottle, or vase, they will naturally assume that shape. And then they often need some help getting out.

We need to be careful that we do not fall victim to deceiving spirits that try to call us to follow. That is why we need to assume a cruciform shape in life – or in other words, our lives should be lived in the shape of the cross. The vertical life is our relationship with G-d. We look to G-d to discern G-d’s will in our lives. We listen for the Holy Spirit to call us as we learn to love G-d with our whole heart, mind and strength. The horizontal life is where we live out that relationship with G-d through the teaching of Jesus – who calls us to love our neighbor as much, or more than we love ourselves. It is a life where we are called to live in community – loving, forgiving, serving and discipling.

It is the Holy Spirit that will mold and shape us in this cruciform life. We just need to have ears to listen – and minds willing to discern.

Pastor Dave