“Have mercy on us and help us, if you can.” (Mark 9:22 NLT)
My wife is an excellent cook. Perhaps that had something to do with her son majoring in the culinary arts. It’s fun to watch her when she’s cooking something, to put a dab of this and a sprinkle of that, then taste it or bring me some in a spoon to test. “What’s it missing?” she might ask. Of course, I never know. 😊
It’s not unusual for people to ask a similar question regarding their life. “What am I missing? Why can’t I ever seem to get it right?” Sometimes our lives just don’t “taste” right, but we don’t understand why.
I attended a seminar years ago and the speaker’s contention was that each of us is fitted with a set of lenses designed for us, based on our specific set of life’s circumstances. Everything that we experience in our lives is filtered through these “life” lenses. Every new experience, opportunity, or idea is interpreted in light of the collective information stored in these “lenses.”
For example, let’s say that you were told as a child that you were a burden, worthless, stupid, dumb, clumsy, you should never have been born. Or, on the other hand, you were told your possibilities were endless, you were brilliant, loved, beautiful, talented, etc., the list is virtually endless. Over time, if we hear something often enough, we begin to believe it, then internalize it. For us, it becomes “truth” and, thus, is imprinted on the lenses of our life.
The speaker’s conclusion was, in order to change, you have to replace the filters through which you view your life. That’s essentially why Jesus died. He wants to give you new “lenses” through which you can see life in general, but also your specific life in particular.
Too many times we’re crippled by something that was said or done to us, or which we experienced that so traumatized us, it’s as if it was branded into our memory. And please understand, I realize that some things may take professional help in learning how to allow us to believe differently about ourselves, thus opening the door of opportunity for us to move in new directions. But I also understand the power of the Holy Spirit to defeat the enemy of our souls and enable us to stop believing lies and begin to believe the truth of which Jesus speaks and is. God can enable us to be and do anything He says we can be and do. How do I know that?
In Mark chapter 9 Jesus is introduced to a man who brought his son to Him who was demon-possessed. The man says to Jesus: “Have mercy on us and help us, if you can.” (vs 22) Jesus responded: “What do you mean, ‘If I can?’…Anything is possible if a person believes.’” (vs 23) To which the father cried out: “I do believe, but help me overcome my unbelief.” (vs 24)
Is that where you find yourself today? You want with all your heart, like a father with a demon-possessed son, to believe you can change. You’ve begged God to stop the “tracks” that repeat in your head over and over every time you try to move in a new direction, but seemingly to no avail. You’ve been victimized by past experiences, and it’s crippled you to the new possibilities that God is inviting you into. Bring your pain, heartache, crippling memories, and unbelief to the only One who can deliver you from the satanic grip that is holding you powerless.
Jesus doesn’t remake, remodel, or redesign our old selves. He scraps the old and gives us a brand-new life. Today you can become a new creation in Christ Jesus, like a caterpillar becoming a butterfly, the Lord will give you wings to “fly” above the lies of the past into the promises of a new future. But you’re going to need people to help you learn to walk in this new life. You need a family of Jesus followers to help you, to stabilize, and support you as you learn what it means to know and love Jesus, and as He directs your steps in a whole new direction.
Click the link to this brief video, then click on “yes, I prayed the prayer” at the end. https://hutchcraft.com/the-bridge-to-god
Blessings, Ed 😊
Walking With Jesus 