Shine on You Crazy Diamond

Shine on Crazy Diamond

When we burn in our brilliance like the stars of heaven, there is massive amount of fuel consumed. I know that I go through periods of creativity which are utterly exhilarating, but also draining in a deep way. I need to recharge. I do this by spending time in quiet reflection and in peaceful solitude.

Where does this fuel come from? Where do we find the energy to shine brightly? If we find this energy in ourselves, we run the risk of burning out. But if we understand that what we are doing is building up the kingdom of God and we rely on our heavenly Father for assistance, guidance, and support, we can do seemingly superhuman things.

Self-reliance is a tricky deception. We are taught elements of it as a means to survive in the world. It is the gospel according to Hollywood and the theme of the American Dream. Pull yourself up by the bootstraps and go after what is yours.

May I never boast of anything except the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. For neither circumcision nor uncircumcision is anything; but a new creation is everything! (Gal. 6:14-15)

A recognition that we are a new creation in Christ gives us the courage to reject the world’s message of self-reliance and individuality as the ultimate state. Not that individuality is bad, just the distorted view which places selfish desire at the heart of our purpose rather than the self-giving which is consistent with the divine image. When we are crucified with Christ, the world is crucified to us. The total reliance Jesus had on God to heal and to preach and to save is available to us. He gave us that by his work on the cross. He showed us the way to the Father through prayer and service. Our heavenly Father is waiting for us to return to him and will shower us with the gift of His own life.

So when we operate from a prideful self-reliance we are eating of that fruit in the garden which is the rejection of our humanity. We become like the arrogant and self-destructive rock stars who fall apart at the height of their fame and glory. When we seek to be God we block God’s action in us. We cut ourselves off from the source of good works which is our faith in God. But when we see ourselves in the light of Christ’s work on earth, we can begin to live from that source which is infinite and eternal. We are higher powered.