Wanted: cat seeks giraffe to hang out

I’ve been in Edinburgh over the Christmas holidays, enjoying the layers of volcanic hills (also known as the Athens of the North) that compose the proper city center, particularly the Royal Mile and Princes Street. Along the walk, I pass the Omni Center and there are the two giraffe structures which have been dedicated with a significance of space and commendation. I think I understand why. In the animal image, a powerful metaphor is at play. Around the giraffes is the following statement: "Giraffes! - a People Who live between the earth and skies Each in his own religious steeple Keeping a lighthouse with his eyes." When I look at this creative work of the giraffe, it reminds me that God has called me, has chosen me, as 1 Peter 1 states, not by any natural talent (I have very little), but having been set a part for obedience, and the inheritance of salvation through Jesus Christ, to be keeping a lighthouse with my eyes. I see how I am fashioned by Christ to stretch up to Heaven and also keep my feet planted in the earth. My heart is in the Spirit and my work is in the body. I am a living soul with a body. Yet, to clarify, I don’t mean to imply any sense of dualism, (i.e., anti-flesh, pro-spirit). Rather the reverse because the Incarnation, which entered in space and time, was born, lived, died, and was resurrected and then ascended, has shown us that the material is good and meant to be engaged in a holistic work. Yet, in the classic struggle with sin, I am tempted to set up a kingdom here on earth, deceiving myself with good, natural orders like marriage, family, success, community, etc., that they are due more consideration and import than the foundation, the cornerstone of faith which is Christ. Of course, these earthly desires which are good in themselves are bent when my eyes fail as a lighthouse to mediate the light of Heaven in the dark landscape around me. The Christian who wants the benefits of God’s grace and yet not love HIM must ultimately stumble when confronted with 1 Pet. 1:8-9: “You love him, though you have not seen him. And though not seeing him now, and believe in him and rejoice with inexpressible and glorious joy, because you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.” First, let me say that this passage is not making an emotional/ecstatic experiential claim. I really don’t see how such an interpretation could be rendered in light of many other passages in the New Testament which argues against basing our lives on our emotional whims. If ANYTHING, Peter and Paul and other NT writers make severe statements against those who seek to appease a childish temperament in place of maturity and service. This passage is not about how I feel or don’t feel at the moment. Having said that, there is a joy which no one can touch, not even myself, that secures God’s child BECAUSE he IS God’s child. In other words, no one can so hurt me, so wound me that I am devastated beyond hope. Why is that? Because we have a LIVING hope bound up, wrapped up in the Resurrected Christ Jesus. That means that while I can and do hurt, can feel loss, grief and other types of pain, it is not bound in an earthly end, because I am not completely bound to the earth. As God’s sons and daughters, we are spiritual temples, religious steeples that host the light of the world in our hearts and lives. That is why we can declare: "Then let us all with one accord Sing praises to our heavenly Lord That hath made Heaven and earth of nought And with his blood mankind has bought. Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel Born is the King of Israel!"