Dust of the Actual

In reading Things As They: Mission Work in South India by Amy Carmichael, I came across a phrase that has radically changed my thinking. It has caused me to more clearly see things in the Spirit rather than in the flesh.
Although, Amy Carmichael uses this phrase to describe her mission work and the struggles that she faced; I believe that it is very applicable to our lives. She first heard this phrase in a poem and a portion of that poem is written in the quote; but she puts the meaning into the phrase that gave me insight.

"Finally, I should explain the book's character[poem portion] "Tell about things as they actually are; so said the Two with emphasis. I tried, but the Actual eluded me. It was as if one painted smoke, and them, pointing to the feeble blur, said, "Look at the battle! 'the smoking hell of battle!' There is the smoke!"

The Poet's thought was not this, I know, when she coined the suggestive phrase, "The Dust of the Actual," but it has been the predominating thought in my mind, for it holds that which defines the scope and expresses the purpose of the book...It does not show the Actual Principalities, Powers, Rulers of the Darkness, Potentialities, unknown and unimagined, gathered up into one stupendous Force-- we have never seen it. How can we describe it? What we have seen and tried to describe is only an indication of Something undescribed, and is as nothing in comparison with it-- as Dust in comparison with the Actual."

In another place she writes:

"These deep-rooted ancient and strong philosophies are formidable enough, when rightly understood, to make us feel how little we can do to overturn them; but they are just as "Dust" in comparison with the force of the
"Actual" entrenched behind them. Only superficial Dust; and yet, as in every other case, nothing but the Breath of God can blow this Dust away."
(emphasis and things in brackets added)

These quotes and more have taught me to see past what I can "see" with my physical eyes to what is really there-- the Actual. That in all situations of life,

"...there is Something greater behind it. It is only the effect of a Cause-- the Dust of the Actual."

The "Actual" is the Lord and His army, Satan and His army, and the souls of men.
I have learned to look past the "dust" of others (there flesh and actions) and to look to what is really there, the forces behind what they do and to them as a person.
I have learned to look past the "dust" of situations and seek the Lord to see what is "actually" there, the root issues, the will of the Lord, the workings of the Lord in bringing about His kingdom, and the vices of Satan.

We need to start living in this Heavenly mindset, because this earth and
all the things of the physical nature do not matter; only the things of the
Actual do!

" For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against
principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this
world, against spiritual wickedness in high places."
Ephesians 6:12

Intercession

This video was so encouraging to me. It reminded me of the big picture, which is not about myself, but how I can best serve the Lord. It shook me from the apathy of my "own litttle world" and reminded me that there is indeed a dying world out there.

‘It’s not your skin and how you can save it ~ it’s how you can spend it for His glory.’ – Eric Ludy

"And he saw that there was no man, and wondered that there was no intercessor: therefore his arm brought salvation unto him; and his righteousness, it sustained him."

Isaiah 59:16

Wait on the Lord

"He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might

He increaseth strength.
Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall:
But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary;

and they shall walk, and not faint."

Isaiah 40:29-31

This is my Mom's favorite verse; I remember hearing it when I was younger. When the Lord led me to read it the other day, I realized the full impact of these precious promises. The Lord gives power and more strength to those that don't have any to begin with. The youths, those who we look at in the world that seem to have everything we could wish for, will one day faint and be weary. True strength lies in whom we put our trust in- the Lord. When we "wait upon the Lord" we are relying upon Him and He gives us renewable strength; strength that keeps getting stronger and stronger.

I don't know what you may be going through today- maybe it's physical strength that you feel you are lacking, maybe you feel like you lack the strength to finish a tough project, or maybe you lack the Spiritual strength you need to face a hardship in your life. If you rely on yourself you will lack ability just as the select youths (the best athletes of the day). Rely on the Lord-Wait on Him and He will renew your strength and give you everything you need!

(Picture from Allposters.com)