Faith begins by knowing God IS (Hebrews 11:6). Is (the second first participle of the word be) proclaiming the truth of God’s name as I AM. This goes far beyond just existing; rather, it is the state of being without which no other existing can be. The essence of everything begins with God who IS the creator, controller, majestic ruler of the Universe. Outside of His Being, there is nothingness. With that being true, I am nothing without being found in Him who breaths into me, life. He who created me, formed me in my mother’s womb; knew me before He created the earth. Think about that. My very existence is because of His Being the Great I am. Our vain hearts yearn to be. We want purpose, meaning, and reason for our life. Yet in our nothingness, we have none, until being and nothingness collide into one.
God IS light. Therefore, outside of His light there is utter darkness. I could not exist were it not for God’s will for me to exist. I, one person among all the people of this earth; reside on a small area of this earth, a mere speck orbiting a distant corner of the Milky Way Galaxy, miniscule compared to all the galaxies in this universe. So, who are we? How can I find any being in my miniscule existence apart from God’s Grace; who despite my nothingness, loves me with an everlasting love? “For in him we live, and move, and have our being” Acts 17:28
BEING AND NOTHINGNESS
Jean Paul Sartre, a famous atheistic philosopher, portrayed the depth of despair that plagues humanity both in his book “Being and Nothingness”, as well as his novel, “nausea”. Let’s look at a few of those quotes:
“I want to leave, to go somewhere where I should be really in my place, where I would fit in . . . but my place is nowhere; I am unwanted.”
― Jean-Paul Sartre, Nausea“My thought is me: that’s why I can’t stop. I exist because I think… and I can’t stop myself from thinking. At this very moment – it’s frightful – if I exist, it is because I am horrified at existing. I am the one who pulls myself from the nothingness to which I aspire.”
― Jean-Paul Sartre, Nausea“Nothingness lies coiled in the heart of being – like a worm.”
― Jean-Paul Sartre, Being and Nothingness“I exist, that is all, and I find it nauseating.”
― Jean-Paul Sartre, Being and Nothingness
What a depth of despair it is to try to exist by my own endeavors. I cannot find being out of nothingness unless true Being penetrates my nothingness. Without my knowing God IS everything; I cannot discover anything of meaning within this world.
TRANSFORMING FINITE INTO INFINITE-AN ACT OF GRACE
I am hopeless to overcome any obstacle before me; were it not for God’s gracious hand. In my finiteness, Infinite love, grace, strength has entered to proclaim me as His own. He who causes light to shine upon the just and the unjust; has chosen me to be His child. You cannot understand the magnitude of this until you recognize the utter futility of your own doing and being in this world. God NEEDS nothing from me; yet, He wants a personal relationship with me and desires to fulfill all my needs. Stop, and think about that for just a moment.
My view of every circumstance that enters my life is transformed when I recognize my nothingness and His Being. When He enters my nothingness, then my being exists because of His Being. His essence becomes my essence. Think about this: He is perfect righteousness, justice, glory, love, and might. He is the light of the world who chose to pay the penalty for my sin; that I might have eternal life in His presence. The beauty of that life begins here upon this earth; where I can trust Him with every detail of my life and then extends into eternity where I can behold Him in all His Glory.
GOD’S GRACIOUS WORDS
I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless, I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. Galatians 2:20
But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. Ephesians 2:5-7
For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. Ephesians 2:10
CONCLUDING THOUGHTS
There is one hope to truly transform our nothingness into being; wherein, we can find joy, true love and meaning for this life on earth. That can only happen when being and nothingness collides; that is, when God’s Spirit collides with our spirit to become one through faith in Jesus Christ. He is our hope. We need first to recognize our nothingness that we might find being in Him.
CONCLUDING TWEETS
[bctt tweet=”When Being and Nothingness Collide, I become one in Christ by faith, through grace.” username=”effiedarlene”]
[bctt tweet=”My nothingness can only become being by accepting Salvation’s Gift from Yahweh (the Great I AM).” username=”effiedarlene”]
This is an original Drawing by an amazing artist whom I love and admire. Please check out his work at http://roninron.com He did this drawing with a piece of paper and a pencil. Because it is protected under copyright, it cannot be copied or duplicated without permission.
Featured picture courtesy of: https://unsplash.com/@wilstewart3
©Effie Darlene Barba, 2017
Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.