HINDSIGHT

Today I started to think about Jesus being “The Savior of the World” and what it must have been like to walk with Him…and then this question came to mind…

Why is it so hard for us to see someone’s love while we’re in the middle of it? Isn’t it true that we seem to see it more clearly from the other side, looking back on it?

Let’s take a look at the disciples. Jesus loved them, He chose them. But with His love came discipline, correction and challenges. He set the bar high.

Did they see it? His Love? Really see it? Or was their sight clouded by what they wanted Him to be, who they thought He should be or maybe who they thought they should be with Him?? Was it only when they looked back on Him and His time with them that they saw how much He really loved them?

As I was thinking about this I started to think about my relationship with my mom. During my teens I rebelled. Every part of me demanded “I know what’s best for me!” I was convinced that my mother was old and she couldn’t possibly know what I was going through. It’s funny how at 16 years old I thought I had the wisdom of a 40 year old. Everything she said seemed controlling, unreasonable and well simply put, ridiculous!

But in her (God given) wisdom she knew her job was to lovingly teach me, correct me, discipline me and challenge me to grow. I knew she loved me but I could not see the depth of her love until I saw it from the other side. When I look back it seems as if it took 20 years to get there!

Then I thought about Jesus. When we see stories of His time here, we see His love, His blood shed, His ultimate sacrifice. But I believe we are able to see it so clearly because we are looking back. I wonder if we would have seen it in the same way if we were there with Him. I mean, don't we struggle with seeing Him during our trials here and now. During the storms of life don’t we question whether or not He’s there with us or if He truly loves us? Then when the storms pass we figure out not only is His love never ending, but He never took His eyes off of us.

I'm learning that through the trials of life He is molding me and teaching me how to be the person He intended me to be.

I pray that I not only see love in hindsight, but I see it in spite of myself and my stubbornness. That I learn more and more each day how to love like He does. And in seeking Him I pray that He teaches me how to love BEFORE, DURING AND AFTER the lessons I am called to learn. And that He affords me the grace of endurance at those times that I am called to be the teacher.
In Jesus name, Amen.

Click here to Follow by Email

TRUE FREEDOM - THROUGH MY EYES

I imagine committing a crime and being sentenced to a suffering of some sort.

Maybe a prison cell. For me this would be the worst kind of suffering. You see I am claustrophobic and even the thought of being confined makes me feel like I’m drowning or in a parked car in August with the windows up and the doors locked shut.

Or perhaps for you, maybe it’s being badly beaten every day by an angry person. Or worse, being violated each and every day until you are numb to the very core of your being.

Then imagine one day, out of nowhere, someone you’ve never met steps up and offers to take your place Freely giving it all up for you, surrendering everything to rescue you.

At first you don’t believe it, why would you, its impossible.

Who would do this?

Surely he must want something from me or why would he do this?

But his answer is simple. It’s Love.

And you think Love??? I don’t even know Him. And even stranger, you think...does he know me? This is crazy. This can’t be real. And you remember all the times you’ve heard someone say “If it sounds too good to be true, it usually is."

Then one day, you wake up and you’re on the outside of your cell and when you turn back to look inside you see someone lying there wearing your coat. The one you’ve always worn before. He lifts his head, looking up at you he smiles and without words His eyes say to you “I love you, so I took your place. Then He tells you, "Now go and live forever free. Just remember me always. Tell people what I’ve done and that I love them as much as I love you."

Would you do it...tell people?

Would you fall at his feet in gratitude?

Would you forever be grateful knowing that “His law is Love and His gospel is Peace?”

Would you go as far as to say you would worship him?

Or would you walk away claiming your freedom, forever forgetting this Selfless, Loving, Awesome Man who FREELY gave it all up for you?

Jesus is knocking. Answer the door.

He knocked on my door for forty years, waiting patiently for me to answer. When I did, He rescued me from my prison cell and gave me life.

Why would anyone keep that a secret??!!?

“Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends." Revelation 3:20

Click here to Follow by Email