Dimensional Living

As an Art major, in two-dimensional design, I found myself, the other day, thinking "dimensional". Actually, it was after I took my kids to see "Monsters vs. Aliens" in 3-D. We had already seen the movie in 2-D, and it was OK...but the word we heard was that the 3-D was awesome! So we ponied up the extra cash to go again and buy the cool 3-D glasses and check it out. Ya know, it was really good animation from an artistic perspective, but what caught my eye was the difference of the 2-D versus the 3-D...wow, what a difference! An added "dimension" (I'm inserting the obvious word choice here, though clearly its redundant) if you will...and it was noticeably a much better experience. As I was driving the other day to Portland to visit, The Well, a church downtown, I pondered the dimensional reality I had just experienced the day before with my kids at the movies. I began to think artistically...and spiritually about dimension...and what a difference it makes. Traditionally their are 3 dimensions in art... height...width...and depth. 2-D, or flat art, like paintings or drawings, are just depicted in width and height. 3-D art, like sculptures or 3-D films, depict height, width and depth. Now, technically they say the fourth dimension is "time"... and depending on who you speak with, whether mathematical scientist people or philosopher types, there is "theoretically" anywhere from 8 to 10 dimensions, some even suggest 11 or more dimensions. Who knows? I'm not gonna delve into all that cool theory stuff...but instead I'll dive into my dimensional ponderings, as I drove to Portland and back. I was considering life...dimensions...and spiritual things...and it all collided. What came out is rather random...yet maybe thought provoking. Many people, choose to live life 1-dimensionally, just one perspective, theirs. Unfortunately, we have been deceived into believing that is all life has to offer, our will...our perspective...our opinions...our desires...and our thoughts. It is really quite limiting, if you think about it...yet most live in this 1-dimension. The second dimension in my thoughts, was scripture. 2-dimensional living is living in our perspective and the knowledge of scripture as well, thus broadening our life experience. In the 2-D experience, we broaden our perspective beyond just our own, and gain a fuller understanding and balance to life. Now, 3-dimensional living takes it a step further, where it is not just our life and our knowledge derived from scripture, but an actual trusting of what "the book" says, to the point of living it out...even allowing "the book" to supersede our will and our natural perspectives. This 3rd dimension is where the flat words on the page, come to life, within and through us. It is such a more vibrant way of living, than just a rational acquiring of biblical info. Now the 4th dimensional is where I believe God desires us to live..."abundant life" as God intended...it is not just our will in line with God's words...and not just a living out of God's word's...but an active guidance by the Holy Spirit. The bible says that to those that believe, "Jesus lives within us"...and that the "Holy Spirit empowers us...guides us...counsels us". This is, where I believe, God's word, the scriptures, comes alive! Alive within us...as God's presence in us, enables us to live out the wisdom of scripture under the guidance of God Himself & His Spirit. Wow, now that is a dynamic life experience don't ya think? What a privilege, to have God's Spirit in us, so it is not "us" trying to "do it" (whatever "it" is), but it is our cooperation with God's Spirit in us that produces an amazing life experience, as God has designed us to...and helps us to! At ECHO, we recognize in church circles, that too often we act as if 2-D living is all their is...rational information about God...and unfortunately that adds "some" to a 1-dimensional life...but it is far short of what God has designed us for. At ECHO, we believe, that God's abundant life is experienced in 4-D, and we do not want to short sell the "good news" Jesus brought to each of us. Life is an adventure of learning to cooperate with not just God's "words" but also His "Spirit"...and together amazing things can happen in us and through us. And that is Good News...God's presence alive in us...available to us and to those around us! For those frustrated and tired of 1-dimensional or even 2-dimensional living, ECHO wants to journey with you towards what your Creator has designed you for...a journey for both those who know God and those who are still spiritually searching. Wow, what a fantastic opportunity God has invited us into...a 4-Dimensional life of abundance! At ECHO, we want to grow into living this way...so join us in this adventure, won't you...as we learn to live in 4-D...

be God's!
Brian O
Lead Pastor dude, ECHO