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So God can point to us in all future ages as examples of the incredible wealth of his grace and kindness toward us, as shown in all he has done for us who are united with Christ Jesus. Ephesians 2:7
Have you ever completed a project, then stood back to admire your work? It came out exactly as you’d hoped. You smile and look to share your accomplishment with someone else? Perhaps not!
The perfectionist in us always see a flaw or think of how it could be better. The pessimist not only fails to celebrate the accomplishment, but finds ways to hide it from others. The insecure may feel like showing it to others may risk having the flaws pointed out or be accused of pride.
Those who are confident are willing to take the risk because they know this project is exactly what it needs to be. It’s a hard but wonderful reality to realize that God shows us off as his perfect creation. Before time began he had an idea for the you you are.
Oh, it may have been a rough road at times. You may have failed, rebelled, doubted or become apathetic, but that doesn’t take away from the you he sees.
We tend to look in the mirror and see the you that struggles with life issues. But not God. When he sees the ‘you’ he sees a masterpiece. When He looks at the ‘you’ you are, he sees the potential, he sees someone Jesus died for, he sees…someone to be proud of.
Imagine God shouting from the street corner how wonderful the ‘you’ is! And it’s all because of Jesus, not the ‘you’ you
The coming of the Son of Man can be illustrated by the story of a man going on a long trip. When he left home, he gave each of his slaves instructions about the work they were to do, and he told the gatekeeper to watch for his return. Mark 13:34
There’s been a lot of talk lately about whether or not we are ‘in the last times.’ It certainly seems like something is brewing with all the social, economic, political, physical and relational things going on.
Jesus talks about the end times. He gives few details, but more importantly, he gives us insight into what we should do. He gives us a picture of a landowner who goes away, but leaves his servants instructions on what to do while he’s gone. A watchman is posted to look for his coming because no one knew when he would appear.
Those who were doing what they were told to do would look forward to his return so they could show him what they’d accomplished.
Those who spent the time he was away tending to their own stuff and ignoring his instructions would be in fear lest he come and they had nothing to show for it.
The emphasis here is, watch for his coming but don’t neglect your work. We need not fear Jesus’ return. For those doing the work he’s given it will be a celebration, like the return of a loving friend.
Only those who have done nothing for the kingdom need fear his return. We are called to share the good news through grace. Look forward to the return of Jesus, not as an escape but a joyful reunion!
Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us. Romans 5:1
All the ‘Bible people’ had a dark side. If a background check were given to any of them, it would come up dirty.
Adam was a man who failed to take leadership.
Abraham slept with his wife’s servant girl.
David was a lust-filled, murderous, absentee father.
Samson was arrogant.
Isaiah struggled with his mouth.
All of these men and more had a part of their lives which betrayed the picture of perfection we’d like to elevate them to.
Yet, time and again, God refers to these men as his friends and men after his own heart. They were far from perfect. But God has a tendency to use imperfect people for amazing results.
The natural human tendency when we love someone is to do things that please them. Human love is performance based, Godly love is positionally based.
Human love lives or dies based on what you do. God’s love perseveres because of what he did through Jesus.
In Jesus we have peace with God. That’s positional. Sin in our lives may rob us of the peace OF God, but not peace with God.
Be thankful that peace with God isn’t dependent on your actions but on his action. We fail. We doubt. We procrastinate. But he remains faithful.
Instead, I have calmed and quieted myself, like a weaned child who no longer cries for its mother’s milk. Yes, like a weaned child is my soul within me. Psalms 131:2
Have you ever noticed how a baby laughing can charge a whole room with smiles and warmth? Have you seen anything more peaceful than an infant sleeping? And let’s be honest, is there any noise more annoying than an infant crying? Especially when that infant is hungry?
One would think the world was coming to an end! Few things (nothing?) will calm an infant if their mind is set on food.
Psalm 131 is a song the Israelites would sing on the long, sometimes treacherous path to worship in Jerusalem. Verse one is about humility, about not concerning oneself with things not understood and not seen.
Verse two is about contentment. One time, at a college basketball game I observed an infant sleeping in her car seat. The game was close. The crowd was loud. The little girl slept peacefully in the midst of, and unaffected by the noise and chaos. That is contentment.
Wouldn’t it be nice if we could do that? Rest peacefully among the chaos, fear and noise of our world around us? We can you know. Jesus promises us a peace that passes all understanding. Jesus promises us that even though there will be turmoil, he is the author and sustainer of contentment and peace.
You know Jesus, right? The guy that slept in a boat that was breaking apart because of an angry sea? Let your heart rest in the comfort of knowing his love and protection over your life in spite of the chaos around you.
Mike Fisk & Built with Grace 