Tongue hanging out, head tilted to one side, and slouched in a wheelchair over a computer keyboard, she was a little shocking at first sight. She was old, and obviously disabled. Her muscle control was weak. But her will was strong. She was holding a pencil and using it to type on the computer keyboard. When she saw my Aunt and I, she was excited. But I could hardly tell what she was saying, because her tongue kept getting in the way. Her Cerebral Palsy was making it difficult for her to communicate. But my Aunt understood her.
We had come to the nursing home to pray with her. My Aunt and her do this every week they can. I was honored on my visit to be able to tag along. We found a nice spot outdoors and we prayed for the country, for others, and thanked God for who He is. She prayed for me.
From a worldly perspective, one could have thought she was a little disgusting. Drooling and all. But from a heavenly perspective, she was stunning. She was beautiful. She was significant. Is significant.
As I have been thinking more about what it means to be in the world and not of the world, I have come to some conclusions. Kind of obvious ones, and things I've known before. But it's helpful to re-discover these truths. And learn things in a new way.
We are in the world. But not "of" it. Meaning, we are no longer citizens of the world, in a spiritual sense. We are aliens. When we come to Christ, we are completely made new. Our worldly heritage is no longer master. The world is no longer "home".
"For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself." Philippians 3:20-21
What does this mean? I think it means that our purpose, our goals, our mindset, our life is not focused any longer on the things of the world. This doesn't mean we won't think about practical things. Becoming a hermit or a monk won't make you any less worldly. But we are not to be focused on the things of the world. Our focus is on heavenly things.
So back to the discussion of my last post, being different from the world does not come from a list of rules for how to dress or behave or what to eat. How we dress or behave or what we eat might change. But not because we're trying to find that one rule that sets us apart from everyone else. We will change because our focus is on God. It's on Jesus Christ. And as we walk in obedience to Him, we change because we love Him. We choose to dress a certain way because we desire to honor Him. We avoid alcohol because we believe Him when he tells us to be sober and watchful in our prayers. The difference between worldly people and heavenly people is their focus.
So how do I live with a heavenly focus? What does that look like? I don't have all the answers, but I do know that it has to do with following Jesus. Keeping my eyes on Him. Seeing the world through His eyes. And remembering that what is happening here on earth is only a part of the story. And as I walk with Him, His Spirit will overflow in my life and I will be filled with love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness, self control. I will be overjoyed at the things that please the Lord and deeply troubled by sin. Lord, give me a heavenly focus!
"Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God." Colossians 3:2-3
What have you been thinking about today? Can you see a heavenly perspective in those circumstances? Because there is one. And you don't want to miss it.
Monday, August 29, 2011
Friday, July 29, 2011
In the World? But not of it. So...
So. A question I've been mulling around: What does it mean to stay away from the things of the world? It is quite clear to me that "worldly things", whatever that means, are dangerous. "Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world - the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life - is not of the Father but is of the world. And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever." 1 John 2:15-17
Okay, so what does that look like? Some people focus on being "different from the world" in areas such as how they dress, or what music they listen to. Society dresses so immodestly these days, so it is important as followers of Christ to respect our brothers and sisters and reduce any potential for lust. So they come up with guidelines for modesty such as long skirts for girls, always wear sleeves, no more than 4 fingers of skin under the chin. They might think "People who dress in jeans that are a bit too tight, or listen to the radio, even the ones who call themselves Christians, they just don't understand the full truth yet. They're still too much like the world." Never listen to music that has a beat that makes you want to move around too much, because it might be seductive in some way, so you better stick with traditional hymns and nothing with too much of a beat. In fact, dancing is just altogether too dangerous, so lets not dance at all, just to be on the safe side. Acting these ways is not wrong. In fact, it's good to think about how we dress and what we listen to. But I don't think how one dresses or what one listens to actually makes a person different from the world.
Other Christians I know have different lines. They dress the same way as your average mainstream westerner, and listen to pop songs on the radio. They hang out with friends at the bar, and dance for fun with their friends. They play the typical dating game. But they do disagree with sex before marriage, and with getting drunk. In these things, they are different than the world. Really?
Think about this: In other parts of the world, and amongst sub-cultures here in Calgary people of different backgrounds and religions dress very modestly. They even cover their heads (Muslim women, or Sikh men). Maybe even wear black most of the time, avoiding bright colours so as not to draw too much attention to themselves. One time I talked with some girls at my school who were standing at a booth talking to people about the Muslim faith. I asked them about music, and they basically said that music of any kind is discouraged (although they do chant the Qur'an), because it takes away from the worship of Allah. Think back to the history of Christianity. There was a time when only monks (and only men) could sing in church, and any instrument was considered worldly. Then they progressed to the organ, considering all other instruments too worldly. There are non-Christians who do not support sex before marriage. And many people choose to remain sober.
So what am I getting at? You can never be different from all the false beliefs of the world by how you dress, what you listen to, whether or not you drink, or when you have sex. Why? Because some of the world is overly liberal, and some of the world is overly strict. The world has the spectrum covered. Before Christians even try to figure out where they sit on the spectrum, every shade is already there.
Now what?! You might be asking yourself. Well, I don't know the answers. But I am convinced that being different from the world is not about rules and guidelines. It is about something far more profound.
Now it happened that He went through the grainfields on the Sabbath; and as they went His disciples began to pluck the heads of grain. And the Pharisees said to Him, "Look, why do they do what is not lawful on the Sabbath?" But He said to them, "Have you never read what David did when he was in need and hungry, he and those with him: how he went into the house of God in the days of Abiathar the hight priest, and ate the showbread, which is not lawful to eat except for the priests, and also gave some to those who were with him?" And He said to them, "The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath. Therefore the Son of Man is also Lord of the Sabbath." Mark 2:23-28
Catch that? Okay, so Jesus is apparently "disobeying" the law. But he doesn't do that. He is without sin. He was demonstrating that the law was there for man, but that He is Lord over it. And even in the Old Testament, there were times when the law wasn't followed, like with the Kind David example. But it's not that Jesus disapproved of the law.
"Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill." Matthew 5:17
What does Jesus think about this whole "worldly" thing? Well, He did mention it in his prayer for his disciples before He was crucified.
"I have given them Your word; and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth." John 17:14-17
So it's about something spiritual. Being in the world, but not of it. Protection from the evil one. Sanctification by God's truth.
Get this:
Religious leaders catch this women in the act of adultery. According to God's law, God's holy law, she deserves to be stoned to death. This was not man's idea. This was a command by God. So the Pharisees bring her to Jesus.
they said to Him, "Teacher, this woman was caught in adultery, in the very act. Now Moses, in the law, commanded us that such should be stoned. But what do You say?" This they said, testing Him, that they might have something of which to accuse Him. But Jesus stooped down and wrote on the ground with His finger, as though He did not hear. John 8:4-6
Now I bet that's exactly what you expected Jesus to do. Probably not. What's going on here? Jesus isn't stuck on legalistic thinking. He knows just what to do, because He loves everyone involved here.
So when they continued asking Him, He raised Himself up and said to them, "He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first." And again He stooped down and wrote on the ground. Then those who heard it, being convicted by their conscience, went out one by one, beginning with the oldest even to the last. And Jesus was left alone, and the woman staning in the midst.
When Jesus had raised Himself up and saw no one but the woman, He said to her, "Woman, where are those accusers of yours? Has no one condemned you?" She said, "No one, Lord." And Jesus said to her, "Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more." John 8:7-11
Wow. I don' t know exactly how this fits in with learning what it means to be different from the world, but what I do see is Jesus' incredible grace. His incredible forgiveness. His Love that changes peoples' lives.
So the next time you're tempted to judge someone for being too worldly, or you are trying not to be too worldly yourself, maybe ask the question: What does it mean to be in the world but not of it?
Okay, so what does that look like? Some people focus on being "different from the world" in areas such as how they dress, or what music they listen to. Society dresses so immodestly these days, so it is important as followers of Christ to respect our brothers and sisters and reduce any potential for lust. So they come up with guidelines for modesty such as long skirts for girls, always wear sleeves, no more than 4 fingers of skin under the chin. They might think "People who dress in jeans that are a bit too tight, or listen to the radio, even the ones who call themselves Christians, they just don't understand the full truth yet. They're still too much like the world." Never listen to music that has a beat that makes you want to move around too much, because it might be seductive in some way, so you better stick with traditional hymns and nothing with too much of a beat. In fact, dancing is just altogether too dangerous, so lets not dance at all, just to be on the safe side. Acting these ways is not wrong. In fact, it's good to think about how we dress and what we listen to. But I don't think how one dresses or what one listens to actually makes a person different from the world.
Other Christians I know have different lines. They dress the same way as your average mainstream westerner, and listen to pop songs on the radio. They hang out with friends at the bar, and dance for fun with their friends. They play the typical dating game. But they do disagree with sex before marriage, and with getting drunk. In these things, they are different than the world. Really?
Think about this: In other parts of the world, and amongst sub-cultures here in Calgary people of different backgrounds and religions dress very modestly. They even cover their heads (Muslim women, or Sikh men). Maybe even wear black most of the time, avoiding bright colours so as not to draw too much attention to themselves. One time I talked with some girls at my school who were standing at a booth talking to people about the Muslim faith. I asked them about music, and they basically said that music of any kind is discouraged (although they do chant the Qur'an), because it takes away from the worship of Allah. Think back to the history of Christianity. There was a time when only monks (and only men) could sing in church, and any instrument was considered worldly. Then they progressed to the organ, considering all other instruments too worldly. There are non-Christians who do not support sex before marriage. And many people choose to remain sober.
So what am I getting at? You can never be different from all the false beliefs of the world by how you dress, what you listen to, whether or not you drink, or when you have sex. Why? Because some of the world is overly liberal, and some of the world is overly strict. The world has the spectrum covered. Before Christians even try to figure out where they sit on the spectrum, every shade is already there.
Now what?! You might be asking yourself. Well, I don't know the answers. But I am convinced that being different from the world is not about rules and guidelines. It is about something far more profound.
Now it happened that He went through the grainfields on the Sabbath; and as they went His disciples began to pluck the heads of grain. And the Pharisees said to Him, "Look, why do they do what is not lawful on the Sabbath?" But He said to them, "Have you never read what David did when he was in need and hungry, he and those with him: how he went into the house of God in the days of Abiathar the hight priest, and ate the showbread, which is not lawful to eat except for the priests, and also gave some to those who were with him?" And He said to them, "The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath. Therefore the Son of Man is also Lord of the Sabbath." Mark 2:23-28
Catch that? Okay, so Jesus is apparently "disobeying" the law. But he doesn't do that. He is without sin. He was demonstrating that the law was there for man, but that He is Lord over it. And even in the Old Testament, there were times when the law wasn't followed, like with the Kind David example. But it's not that Jesus disapproved of the law.
"Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill." Matthew 5:17
What does Jesus think about this whole "worldly" thing? Well, He did mention it in his prayer for his disciples before He was crucified.
"I have given them Your word; and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth." John 17:14-17
So it's about something spiritual. Being in the world, but not of it. Protection from the evil one. Sanctification by God's truth.
Get this:
Religious leaders catch this women in the act of adultery. According to God's law, God's holy law, she deserves to be stoned to death. This was not man's idea. This was a command by God. So the Pharisees bring her to Jesus.
they said to Him, "Teacher, this woman was caught in adultery, in the very act. Now Moses, in the law, commanded us that such should be stoned. But what do You say?" This they said, testing Him, that they might have something of which to accuse Him. But Jesus stooped down and wrote on the ground with His finger, as though He did not hear. John 8:4-6
Now I bet that's exactly what you expected Jesus to do. Probably not. What's going on here? Jesus isn't stuck on legalistic thinking. He knows just what to do, because He loves everyone involved here.
So when they continued asking Him, He raised Himself up and said to them, "He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first." And again He stooped down and wrote on the ground. Then those who heard it, being convicted by their conscience, went out one by one, beginning with the oldest even to the last. And Jesus was left alone, and the woman staning in the midst.
When Jesus had raised Himself up and saw no one but the woman, He said to her, "Woman, where are those accusers of yours? Has no one condemned you?" She said, "No one, Lord." And Jesus said to her, "Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more." John 8:7-11
Wow. I don' t know exactly how this fits in with learning what it means to be different from the world, but what I do see is Jesus' incredible grace. His incredible forgiveness. His Love that changes peoples' lives.
So the next time you're tempted to judge someone for being too worldly, or you are trying not to be too worldly yourself, maybe ask the question: What does it mean to be in the world but not of it?
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
Life Thoughts: Stress Struggle
Grrr. My face screws into a look of agony and stress and I grasp my head in my hands with much tension. What to do! What not to do! Today I didn't exercise, so I need to do that with my sister tomorrow. Then I skipped the shower today too, so I could get at other things. So that shouldn't be skipped tomorrow. But I also didn't spend much time at work today, so I need to get some hours in there, but when I have breakfast at 8:30, then if I exercise and have a devotion time and a shower, oh yeah, and then there's laundry, then I will hardly have time to work before lunch time, and then I have to leave in the afternoon to meet someone, and then I still haven't gotten around to organizing those files for that volunteer position for the registered music teachers organization, and then I failed at reaching my goals on my music project this week, when will I do that? and we're leaving for a camping trip this weekend, so maybe Mom would like some help with baking...
Hang on.
In the middle of my mental rant, I realized something. I was feeling stressed because I was wanting to do the impossible. I wanted to get lots of sleep, and accomplish a ton of things before work in the morning, and still have time for that work before lunch. So what's the truth here?
The truth is that I am blessed with a flexible schedule right now. The truth is that I am human, and I have to make choices about how I spend my time. I can't do everything at once, and thus I must admit my weaknesses and live with them. God works well through weaknesses. Never has He told me that I have to exercise, do devotions, laundry, admin work, shower, etc. before 9:30 when I get up at 8:30 and eat Breakfast with the family for 30 minutes first. But He has told me not to worry about tomorrow, and to serve whole-heartedly at whatever I am doing.
So, I will ask Him for wisdom, do my best to decide what should be done when, and not stress about the things that aren't getting done yet. In the big picture, what does it matter if I miss laundry for a few days? Do my best, let go of the rest. And if, in the overall picture of my life, I keep running into this kind of situation, perhaps I have committed to too many things, and I need to back out of some responsibilities so that I can do my best at the ones I have. I'm willing to do that. I'm willing to do whatever it takes to serve you, Jesus, with my life. Thank you for promising me wisdom! I'm excited to see what You'll do in my life tomorrow...
Hang on.
In the middle of my mental rant, I realized something. I was feeling stressed because I was wanting to do the impossible. I wanted to get lots of sleep, and accomplish a ton of things before work in the morning, and still have time for that work before lunch. So what's the truth here?
The truth is that I am blessed with a flexible schedule right now. The truth is that I am human, and I have to make choices about how I spend my time. I can't do everything at once, and thus I must admit my weaknesses and live with them. God works well through weaknesses. Never has He told me that I have to exercise, do devotions, laundry, admin work, shower, etc. before 9:30 when I get up at 8:30 and eat Breakfast with the family for 30 minutes first. But He has told me not to worry about tomorrow, and to serve whole-heartedly at whatever I am doing.
So, I will ask Him for wisdom, do my best to decide what should be done when, and not stress about the things that aren't getting done yet. In the big picture, what does it matter if I miss laundry for a few days? Do my best, let go of the rest. And if, in the overall picture of my life, I keep running into this kind of situation, perhaps I have committed to too many things, and I need to back out of some responsibilities so that I can do my best at the ones I have. I'm willing to do that. I'm willing to do whatever it takes to serve you, Jesus, with my life. Thank you for promising me wisdom! I'm excited to see what You'll do in my life tomorrow...
Monday, July 4, 2011
Uninspired Honesty
Right now, I am uninspired. So why am I writing, you may ask? The truth is, I don' t know. What I do know is that I'd like to become more regular at writing here. And I'd like to be very honest as I write here on this blog.
What if I could actually share what I am really struggling with, rejoicing in, learning? And what if, by being honest, someday, someone, somewhere will read it and face the truth in their own lives? If one person can be drawn a little closer to God by reading this, it's worth it.
So, what AM I struggling with, rejoicing in and learning these days? I am so happy for simple things right now, for beautiful weather, tasty food, being healthy and free and loved. And I am also thirsty. Thirsty for the deeper things in life, the Living water, thirsty for love. It would take hundreds of words to express it all. It seems like I am constantly searching.
Food for thought: What matters in life?
I know all the pat answers. God matters. People matter. Relationships matter. And all the little regularities of life that are necessary for survival matter too; work, sleep, eating, you know. But how do I REALLY live focused on God first? What does that look like? I am going to explore that over the next few weeks. And perhaps for the rest of my life. Because I am determined not to spend my life ignoring what matters most.
What if I could actually share what I am really struggling with, rejoicing in, learning? And what if, by being honest, someday, someone, somewhere will read it and face the truth in their own lives? If one person can be drawn a little closer to God by reading this, it's worth it.
So, what AM I struggling with, rejoicing in and learning these days? I am so happy for simple things right now, for beautiful weather, tasty food, being healthy and free and loved. And I am also thirsty. Thirsty for the deeper things in life, the Living water, thirsty for love. It would take hundreds of words to express it all. It seems like I am constantly searching.
Food for thought: What matters in life?
I know all the pat answers. God matters. People matter. Relationships matter. And all the little regularities of life that are necessary for survival matter too; work, sleep, eating, you know. But how do I REALLY live focused on God first? What does that look like? I am going to explore that over the next few weeks. And perhaps for the rest of my life. Because I am determined not to spend my life ignoring what matters most.
Friday, September 24, 2010
What Shall I Say?
I want to encourage you. I want to love you all the way Jesus does. I want to be there for you, to listen. But there are so many of you. So many people who need to be loved. I am weak. But He is strong. So Praise God for His body, for the collection of believers who He can use to reach others. I'm thankful I can trust all those people, all of you, to Him.
But I won't give up on people. By His strength, I will learn to love better and better. I will live to encourage and help others. But only by His strength.
Philippians 2:1-4
1 Therefore if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy,
2 fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.
3 Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself.
4 Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.
Someone asked me this week, after hearing these verses, "What is humility?"
"The opposite of arrogance, I guess," I said. "Jesus was humble." It got me thinking.
Humility is not something we can put on ourselves. Although the Bible does say, "Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord."(James 4:10) But it seems to me that it's possible to want to be humble so that other people see how humble we are, and are proud of us. The root desire in this seeking of humility is actually pride!! That's not the kind of humility I want.
I want to be humble the Jesus way.
Philippians 2:8-11
8And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.
9 Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name,
10that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth,
11 and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Could I do that? Could I humble myself to the point of death? Definitely not on my own. That's why I'm sure I need a God-sized remedy.
Jesus, please humble me!! Make me more like You.
But I won't give up on people. By His strength, I will learn to love better and better. I will live to encourage and help others. But only by His strength.
Philippians 2:1-4
1 Therefore if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy,
2 fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.
3 Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself.
4 Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.
Someone asked me this week, after hearing these verses, "What is humility?"
"The opposite of arrogance, I guess," I said. "Jesus was humble." It got me thinking.
Humility is not something we can put on ourselves. Although the Bible does say, "Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord."(James 4:10) But it seems to me that it's possible to want to be humble so that other people see how humble we are, and are proud of us. The root desire in this seeking of humility is actually pride!! That's not the kind of humility I want.
I want to be humble the Jesus way.
Philippians 2:8-11
8And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.
9 Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name,
10that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth,
11 and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Could I do that? Could I humble myself to the point of death? Definitely not on my own. That's why I'm sure I need a God-sized remedy.
Jesus, please humble me!! Make me more like You.
Monday, June 28, 2010
We are Weak, but He is Strong
So weak.
Falling to anxiety,
Giving in to fear,
Fooled by human piety,
Hurting those so near.
Not listening, but saying,
Serving judgment more than grace,
Thinking more than praying,
Putting others in their place.
Who are we to criticize?
Who are we to speak?
How long until we realize
That we are just as weak?
Oh Jesus, change your children,
Guard us from the lies,
Humble us and show us
We are equal in Your eyes.
"13 For judgment is without mercy to the one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment." James 2:14
Falling to anxiety,
Giving in to fear,
Fooled by human piety,
Hurting those so near.
Not listening, but saying,
Serving judgment more than grace,
Thinking more than praying,
Putting others in their place.
Who are we to criticize?
Who are we to speak?
How long until we realize
That we are just as weak?
Oh Jesus, change your children,
Guard us from the lies,
Humble us and show us
We are equal in Your eyes.
"13 For judgment is without mercy to the one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment." James 2:14
Monday, May 17, 2010
I was sitting at a red light...
... and a thought came to me. "I hope the light for that person to my left goes green before mine." Did I really think that? I don't think I've ever thought that before. I'm actually not sure if I thought it, or if I thought it would be a good thing to think. But either way, it crossed my mind and I realized that I pretty much never think that way.
How often do you hope the light will change for the other person before it changes for you? When you're in a grocery store and standing in a line up, how often do you hope that the line will go faster for the person to your left than it will for you? When there's a really good deal on some product and you're one of the last people to get it, how often do you think about the person who is behind you who didn't get it? Or are you happier when you sibling gets the larger piece of cheese cake, or when you do?
Anyway, these thoughts made me think about how intrinsically selfish I am. I thought, "What is it that makes me impatient?" and I answered, "When I am busy or in a hurry to get somewhere." Being busy doesn't necessarily make a person impatient, but it certainly aids the process. So why do I get so busy? Is it because I am a procrastinator? Or because I'm trying to fill my life with "useful" things so that I will be looked well upon by other people? Or is there some sin I'm trying to "make-up" for by being extra good? Or just trying to serve Jesus with my whole heart like Martha, without taking the time to sit at His feet and learn what He really wants me to do? None of these are good reasons!
Ultimately, I'm impatient because I'm a sinner. And so are you.
1 Thessalonians 5:14 "And we urge you, brothers, warn those who are idle, encourage the timid, help the weak, be patient with everyone."
Do you think when God said "be patient with everyone." that He only expected it when we had everything figured out and our schedules slowed down and life in order? No. Be patient with everyone. Whenever. Wherever. About whatever. Praise be to God that by His power, we can be pure as snow, and the most patient people ever imagined up! If I try to be more patient, it won't work. But if I sit at Jesus' feet and get to know Him better, than even while I'm a sinful mess, He will wipe that away and give me the power to be more like Him. To be patient. Lord, make me a patient person who deep inside wishes the best for others and not myself! Please change me! Thank you.
How often do you hope the light will change for the other person before it changes for you? When you're in a grocery store and standing in a line up, how often do you hope that the line will go faster for the person to your left than it will for you? When there's a really good deal on some product and you're one of the last people to get it, how often do you think about the person who is behind you who didn't get it? Or are you happier when you sibling gets the larger piece of cheese cake, or when you do?
Anyway, these thoughts made me think about how intrinsically selfish I am. I thought, "What is it that makes me impatient?" and I answered, "When I am busy or in a hurry to get somewhere." Being busy doesn't necessarily make a person impatient, but it certainly aids the process. So why do I get so busy? Is it because I am a procrastinator? Or because I'm trying to fill my life with "useful" things so that I will be looked well upon by other people? Or is there some sin I'm trying to "make-up" for by being extra good? Or just trying to serve Jesus with my whole heart like Martha, without taking the time to sit at His feet and learn what He really wants me to do? None of these are good reasons!
Ultimately, I'm impatient because I'm a sinner. And so are you.
1 Thessalonians 5:14 "And we urge you, brothers, warn those who are idle, encourage the timid, help the weak, be patient with everyone."
Do you think when God said "be patient with everyone." that He only expected it when we had everything figured out and our schedules slowed down and life in order? No. Be patient with everyone. Whenever. Wherever. About whatever. Praise be to God that by His power, we can be pure as snow, and the most patient people ever imagined up! If I try to be more patient, it won't work. But if I sit at Jesus' feet and get to know Him better, than even while I'm a sinful mess, He will wipe that away and give me the power to be more like Him. To be patient. Lord, make me a patient person who deep inside wishes the best for others and not myself! Please change me! Thank you.
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