That is the slogan of Asus computers. Every time I turn on my laptop, I see...in search of incredible. It should be the slogan of my life. I feel like I've spent my whole life in search of incredible. Have you ever looked for something that's in plain sight and missed it? That's what I've done in my quest for the incredible. It's been there all along, but I haven't seen it, because my perspective is off. Allow me to explain.
I've always wanted to do something that would make people say, "Wow! Incredible!" I have my own list of things that might count, and maybe I will actually accomplish a few of them someday. Until then, I still live an incredible life! I'm learning to look at myself and my life from God's perspective, not from my own perspective or even what I think might be the perspective of other people.
God sees me and my life in the context of eternity. Not in the context of what people think of me. Not in the context of the amazing things other people do and post on Facebook. Not in the context of my resume or my list of accomplishments. I am so grateful that God doesn't see me the way I see me, in my human context. God sees me in His context, living the life He has planned for me.
God sees me loving and worshiping Him. God sees me being obedient to Him, even when no one else knows. God sees me taking His love wherever I go and sharing it with the people in my life. God hears me quietly praying throughout the day. None of that seems particularly incredible from my human perspective, but the Bible says that God sees me (and you) as incredible! See Psalm 139:13-14 if you don't believe it. In fact, the entire Bible is filled with the truth about how God sees us. From His perspective, we are INCREDIBLE! We need to stop searching for the incredible, and start seeking our incredible and loving Father God!
Tuesday, April 26, 2016
Saturday, April 9, 2016
push beyond
When I hit 3.1 miles on my run today, I had a choice to make. I could head for home (just a few blocks away) or I could take a detour and go a bit further. I was tired and ready to head home, but a voice inside me said, "push beyond what you think you can do!" So I did, and I actually ran past my house and then back so that I could get 4.1 miles in. :)
In that last mile, God and I were talking about what it means to push beyond. I know what I am capable of in my own strength physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually. I am the one who puts limits on what I do because I forget that the same Spirit that raised Christ from the dead dwells in me! (Romans 8:11) And I forget that I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me! (Philippians 4:13)
I limit myself in my relationships when I say, "I just can't give anymore." I limit myself in my job when I say, "I'm just not smart enough." I limit myself in my relationship with God when I say, "There just isn't enough time for me to sit and pray." I limit myself in ministry and the things God has called me to do when I say, "What if people think I'm crazy, or don't understand, or don't accept me?" And those are just a few examples of the places that I restrict what God can do in and through me.
This afternoon, I read Hebrews 11-the faith hall of fame. I would venture to guess that all of those heroes of the faith had their doubts about whether they could do what God had called them to do. The Bible is filled with examples of people who argued with God when He spoke to them. Jonah tried to run away. Some even denied and hid from their callings. In the end, though, each one of them was obedient and fulfilled God's purposes.
Hebrews 12:1-3 follows the faith hall of fame saying: Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider Him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
I'm convicted. Everything that hinders includes my doubts and fears and the limitations that I've set for myself. I need to put it all aside and run with perseverance the race that God has marked out for me. It looks hard and tiring and painful, but that's why the very next sentence of Hebrews 12 says, "let us fix our eyes on Jesus." When my eyes are fixed on Jesus, nothing else matters. Only Jesus. And verse 3 promises that if I fix my eyes on Jesus, I will not grow weary and lose heart. Such an incredible and amazing promise!
Today, I choose to push beyond what I think I am capable of doing, because Jesus is in me! I choose to fix my eyes on Jesus and to do what He has called me to do. I believe that the Lord will guide me always; He will satisfy my needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen my frame. I will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail. (Isaiah 58:11) I will not grow weary and lose heart! I will push beyond!
In that last mile, God and I were talking about what it means to push beyond. I know what I am capable of in my own strength physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually. I am the one who puts limits on what I do because I forget that the same Spirit that raised Christ from the dead dwells in me! (Romans 8:11) And I forget that I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me! (Philippians 4:13)
I limit myself in my relationships when I say, "I just can't give anymore." I limit myself in my job when I say, "I'm just not smart enough." I limit myself in my relationship with God when I say, "There just isn't enough time for me to sit and pray." I limit myself in ministry and the things God has called me to do when I say, "What if people think I'm crazy, or don't understand, or don't accept me?" And those are just a few examples of the places that I restrict what God can do in and through me.
This afternoon, I read Hebrews 11-the faith hall of fame. I would venture to guess that all of those heroes of the faith had their doubts about whether they could do what God had called them to do. The Bible is filled with examples of people who argued with God when He spoke to them. Jonah tried to run away. Some even denied and hid from their callings. In the end, though, each one of them was obedient and fulfilled God's purposes.
Hebrews 12:1-3 follows the faith hall of fame saying: Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider Him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
I'm convicted. Everything that hinders includes my doubts and fears and the limitations that I've set for myself. I need to put it all aside and run with perseverance the race that God has marked out for me. It looks hard and tiring and painful, but that's why the very next sentence of Hebrews 12 says, "let us fix our eyes on Jesus." When my eyes are fixed on Jesus, nothing else matters. Only Jesus. And verse 3 promises that if I fix my eyes on Jesus, I will not grow weary and lose heart. Such an incredible and amazing promise!
Today, I choose to push beyond what I think I am capable of doing, because Jesus is in me! I choose to fix my eyes on Jesus and to do what He has called me to do. I believe that the Lord will guide me always; He will satisfy my needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen my frame. I will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail. (Isaiah 58:11) I will not grow weary and lose heart! I will push beyond!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)