Warning: If seeing a cat on top of a table offends you, you should not read this post.

However, if you own a cat, you know that sometimes, despite our valiant efforts to stop them, cats will jump up on tables, counters, shelves, every available space in your house at some point.

This is Ash. Born to a feral cat in our garage a few years ago, we at first called her the Tiny Terror. You can get an idea as to why when you look at this photo of her perched on top of our dining room table.
Although she is older and less active now, I absolutely love this photo.

As you can see, her paw is lifted high as if she is trying to touch the light above her.

Does that remind you of anything?

It reminds me of the words in the following Scripture verses:

Phillipians Chapter 3.

v. 10: I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death…

v. 12: Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. 

v. 13-14: Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and reaching toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

And this verse from Colossians Chapter 3:

v. 1: If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God.

Like Ash is reaching for the light above her, I reach for the light that is in Christ above. My goal is to know God more and to be more like Jesus. To love like Jesus did in this dark and troubled world.

Before I can lift up my hands to him, I have to let go of the weight that is holding me down. The chains of shame, guilt, bitterness, all of those feelings we’ve held in our heart because of things that we’ve done, or that have been done to us.

We can lay our burdens down and lift up our hands in worship and praise.

This song has come to mind often the past few days, so I’m posting the link to the YouTube lyrics video below.

“In the Secret, in the Quiet Place.”