Challenge: to be the visible image of the invisible God

While recovering from the rigours of another grace-filled retreat, and upon deeper reflection of what had transpired over the past 2 weeks of hectic running around and lack of prayer/quiet time, I've discovered certain traits/aspects of myself that are really really ugly.

I've realised that:
1. I am really too quick to judge...
2. I am really too impatient...
3. I think too highly of myself...
4. I'm rather insecure about myself to the point of being paranoid abt what others think about me..
5. I am a control freak who cannot totally surrender to the will of Him who created me...
6. I lack the ability to love (agape)... it's always tainted by other considerations...
7. I am afraid to see myself for who I really am... especially my weaknesses...

But you know what? I've realised too that:
A. God doesn't stop loving me or love me less even though I'm really CMI.
B. My weaknesses don't prevent God from using me as His hands and feet.
C. My true nature is love (agape)! Because I was created by love (God), and I am destined for love (being with God for eternity), and that I was made in His image and likeness (love)!!!!
D. The Holy Spirit within me will continue to mould me into the person that I was created to be as long as I allow Him to!

This is really cutting a very very long story short, but it's a really simple equation that takes on seemingly impossible realities and challenges... To be the visible image of the invisible God (thanks Fr Frans for this immaculate quote), and that since we have already attained proleptic salvation (thanks Bro. Mike for this brilliant phrase) through the death and resurrection of our Saviour, we are called to stand on the side of the victor, Christ Jesus, under His banner in which we dispel the retreating forces of the enemy that still seek to pull others with them into the eternal abyss, where there will be weeping and grinding of teeth because God (love) is not present there.

So, there are 2 ways to think about the image of Christ as He carries His cross... is He falling? Or is He standing up?

Lord, without Your presence in my life,
I am bound to fall...
Holy Spirit, please continue to guide,
To be my soft whisper, my gentle breeze...
To help me stand up again when I fall...
To teach me to love like you do,
unconditionally and indiscriminately...
That You increase, and i recede.
Amen.

Rhino 5