“This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!” (2 Corinthians 5:17 NLT)
Yesterday’s post ended with a statement that declared that in order for us to have our heart and mind open to “seeing” God, to recognizing His presence, we must want it; we must be open to asking for it. Why? Because like everything else in our life for as long as we’ve lived, when things go wrong it must be someone else’s fault, and, if not another person’s, it must be God’s. As a result, the only way to find a cure is to admit we have the “disease” – we must admit we are a sinner in need of a Savior.
That process is called repentance, and it begins in our mind. We, by God’s grace and with His help, make the decision to change our mind, not only about how we see God, but how we see everything else, including ourselves. Once we make that decision, God’s Spirit moves into our heart and life and walks with us every step.
Does that mean everything in our life will suddenly be great and wonderful? Yes, and no. Yes, with a new heart and renewed mind we can begin to think right, thus, can make better decisions, create new, healthy habits, and move in new, God-honoring directions. The bad news is, it takes a lifetime to hone those skills.
It seems disappointing on some levels that I’ve walked with the Lord for more than sixty years and am just now noticing a significant difference in how I realize God’s presence in my life every second of every day. And, yes, my thoughts stray, but for the most part all I want to think about is Him. And as you yawn, I can hear your thoughts – “B-0-R-I-N-G!” But’s that’s the thing, it’s anything BUT boring. It’s exhilarating, liberating, exciting, awesome!
Learning to think God’s thoughts means everything I see, think, and do can be “bathed” in His blessing. Seeing from His perspective gives insight into every avenue of my life. It opens my heart and mind to become more attentive to other’s needs, to see issues with which I’m dealing from His perspective, which gives me peace, hope, confidence that nothing touches my life without His permission, so, whatever touches me is filled with meaning, value, and purpose.
God is ALWAYS at work, so, when we are seeking to think His thoughts, He lets us see where we fit into what He’s doing and how we can be involved. There are no accidents, everything that happens in or to us becomes the product of His engineering circumstances to bless us, not to hurt us. So, am I telling you sickness, disease, death, tragedy are blessings?
No, of course not, but that’s the beauty of how God works. All of those things and a thousand more are the result of sin and our fallen nature that demands us to make decisions that often lead to tragedy, that God allows us to make because He gives us free will, but when we allow Him, He’ll make beauty from ashes; He’ll take crushing, heart-breaking circumstances in our lives and turn them into glorious victories.
My Alzheimer’s isn’t simply a disease, it has become a bridge, it’s like the passageway to heights in my life that has enabled me to see the Lord with new eyes. I can focus on how bad it can get, or I can choose to focus on how good each moment is right now; from “how could God do this to me?” to “Thank You, holy Father for the privilege of seeing you in ways I’ve never seen you before!”
How about you? Are you still looking for God, wondering why He never seems to show up when you need Him? Sorry, my friend, but it’s not Jesus who isn’t “showing up,” it’s you.
When you choose to let Him open the eyes of your heart, you’ll see Him everywhere, involved in every detail of your life. It’s all a matter of perspective.
Why don’t you ask Him to open your eyes right now?
Food for thought.
Blessings, Ed 😊
Walking With Jesus 