January 2010
Greetings,
Perspective is an interesting
thing. Much of our interpretation of the
world around us depends on how we see the world. If you are lying on your back in a field,
looking up at the sky, your perspective is different than if you are above that
same field in a hot air balloon looking down.
Makes sense, right? When you look
at the circumstances in which you live, what perspective do you use? Do you see life from the perspective of being
a victim, tossed about by circumstances beyond your control? Or are you able to view life from the vantage point
of the gospel of Christ where – in him – we are victorious in all circumstances?
Take a moment to consider, are
you one who goes through trials thinking “this just isn’t fair”, or do you face
the difficulties in life with the realization that whatever threatens to
overwhelm you is already under the control of a loving, gracious and holy
God? Do you tend to look at the
obstacles in your life and focus on what they take away from you, or do you
stop and consider what your heavenly Father desires for you to gain through the
experience?
Your “honest” answers to
these questions will say a lot about your relationship with God and –
specifically – your ability to trust him.
Trust is the foundation of a strong relationship. Many a relationship fails due to a breach of
trust. Scripture tells us that friends
and family may let us down on occasion, but God never will…
“Those who know your name will trust in you, for you, LORD, have never
forsaken those who seek you.” (Psalm 9:10)
All too often the “I can’t”
of our humanity clouds our minds to the promises of our Triune God, who “gives us the victory through our Lord
Jesus Christ.” (1 Corinthians 5:57) Too often we are like the disciples who were
so busy straining at the oars and fearing the storm (Mark 6:47-50) that they failed to grasp that the waves they feared
would soon be over their heads were already under Christ’s feet. But when we trust him, when we are willing to
place our lives into his loving hands, he gives us a new perspective—his.
“Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him and he will
do this: He will make your righteousness
shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun. Be still before the LORD and wait patiently
for him…” (Psalm 37:5-7a)
“Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on
your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your
paths straight.” (Proverbs 3:5-6)
As we begin a new year in
this tough economic climate we find ourselves in, I feel it is well worth
quoting our 32nd president who spoke the following during the dark
days of the Great Depression: “So, first of all, let me assert my firm
belief that the only thing we have to fear is fear itself -- nameless,
unreasoning, unjustified terror which paralyzes needed efforts to convert
retreat into advance.” -
Let us not shrink
back in fear of that which is out of our control, but let us face the coming
year with a confidence that can only be substantiated by the promises of
Almighty God and let us trust all our circumstances to his great care. After all, “If God is for us, who can be
against us?” (Romans 8:31)
In His service,
Pastor Thom
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