“I will pursue a deep mystical union with God, whose loving, transforming presence is to me what the metamorphis from a caterpillar is to a butterfly; I am changed and being changed into a full human, again aglow with God’s spiritual, intellectual, creative, relational, and moral presence, reflecting God’s image for God’s glory.” (Staub)
What is it with the word mystical that makes some suspicious? There is something about it that suggests there is more to a relationship with God than agreement with a set of propositional statements, or even a heart felt, deep seated awareness of God’s presence. God’s presence cannot be explained easily. Does this mean we can be off searching for some experience that might be defined in terms of an experience with God? I don’t think this is what Dick Staub means. He is talking about a union with God which we cannot easily describe or understand. It is, in this way, mystical. This union with God is one that brings transformation. As God invades my inner being he is shaping me. I would suggest that if we use the langauge of Paul the apostle, we are talking about the “mystery of Christ” (Ephesians 3:2-13). God’s presence is made alive in us through Christ “dwelling in your hearts through faith” (Ephesians 3:14-19).
Our prayer should be that we begin to grasp how incredible the love of Christ is. Paul suggests that this is something that goes beyond knowledge (propositions). This has something to do with God’s power being at work in us. I hunger and thirst for this. For a deeper grasp of the love of Christ- a knowing that goes beyond knowledge… What does this mean? …. So that I may change and reflect more of the image of God for his glory.
