Contact Me

If you enjoy my blog and would like to contact me, you may reach me at this email: dena.netherton@gmail.com

Some of my stories are published in:
A Cup of Comfort Devotional for Mothers and Daughters (Adams Media, 2009)
Chicken Soup: What I Learned from the Dog (2009)
Love is a Flame (Bethany House, 2010)
Extraordinary answers to Prayer (Guideposts, 2010)
Love is a Verb (Bethany House, 2011)
Big Dreams from Small Spaces (Group Publishing, 2012)

Monday, March 12, 2012

Please, May I Enter Your Brain?

When I was a little girl, I used to wish I could have been born a bird rather than a human. I'd look up in high trees, or in the sky and see those winged creatures soaring free, going wherever they liked, unfettered by the pull of gravity. Oh, to be a bird.

I was too young to think about the negative aspects of being a bird: dangers from predators, the competition with other birds for food and shelter, the uncertainty and brevity of their lives, and that instinct alone governs a bird's life, so it is not really as free as I imagined.

When I grew older, I remained fascinated with animal life. I wished (still do) that I could experience an animal's life just for one day. Wouldn't it be cool to be able to enter the mind of a selected animal --say, a wolf or an eagle or a cat --and share consciousness with it for a twenty-four hour period?

After my mind returned to my own body, I'd be to comprehend so much of that animal's motivation for food and shelter. I'd understand its particular manner of communication, its physical signals to others of its kind, or to predators or competitors. I'd understand to what extent this animal is able to think or reason. What an amazing experience that would be.

Now that I'm an adult, I sometimes wish I could share consciousness with other people for a short time. Especially with my husband. I'd love to know more of his mind and heart. I'd also love to understand his masculine mind without him having to try to explain in mere words.

And now that I've been a Christian for over forty years, my passion for knowing the mind of God continues to grow. But I don't have to wish in vain to share consciousness with God.
He, in His amazing condescension has entered my mind and heart.
He has done everything to make it possible for me, with my limited mind, to know Him:
  • He stepped into history and spoke through prophets and people of faith.
  • He left us historical evidence of His dealings.
  • He's given us communications of His Mind and Heart through His Word.
  • He sent His Son to speak directly to us.
  • What Jesus  Christ accomplished on the cross made it possible for His Spirit to enter and make his habitation within our spirits, and commune directly with each of us.
  • And we have the assurance that one day we will see Jesus face to face and know Him to an extent we can only imagine on this side of heaven. 
Science may eventually yield the mysteries and secrets of the animal mind. But the Mind of God can only be accessed through His Holy Spirit. I'm so grateful that He wants me to seek Him and to discover more and more about Him each day.

 "Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known." (1 Cor 13:12 NIV Bible)

4 comments:

  1. Wonderful post, Dena! I'm grateful I'm not an animal or even an angel. Jesus didn't die for them, but He did die for us.

    I'm glad Jesus came and took on human flesh, experienced the cruelty of others, the hardships, the temptations we all face. I know when I go to Him that He understands my situations.

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  2. Amen, Susan: He took on flesh. What a wonderful Savior!

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  3. What a truly delightful post, Dena! I have come over to you from Nancy's Joyful Altitude. She recommended both of us for the Liebster blog award, and I wanted to see your blog. It's so inspirational, and I thank you for that! I will definitely be back!

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  4. Thanks, Marie. I'll also be checking out other Liebsters, too. Blessings on your day!

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