It's Not About Me
Last night we started a new study at church. Last night's session was called He Chose to Become One of Us. If you think about it, Jesus chose to come down from endless power and endless time, no human body or anything we experience. He came down and walked on this earth for 33 years completely human (also completely God) but He lived as we do. He got tired, He had to eat and drink like us. He felt pain and emotions. He chose that over being God. Why? Because He loves us that much. The only time He ever used supernatural powers was for others to show God's glory. He never used it for selfish reasons or to make Himself comfortable while He was down here. He most certainly could have, but He didn't. Not only that, but He went through mockery, beatings, temptations, threats, losing loved ones, and ultimately being crucified because He loves us that much.
I was just telling my brother this morning, that's commitment. On top of all that, even today He protects us and guides us and works in us. We are downright selfish and beastly as Max Lucado puts it. We don't deserve a thing. I don't deserve anything just like any murderer or rapist. I don't deserve this love, grace, and mercy, just like anybody else. But, it's a free gift given to us. Did you read that? FREE!!! We all love free stuff lol. So why wouldn't you want it? Why continue being selfish and beastly? Well, we're still human and we still fight within ourselves on a daily basis.
When you are feeling stressed or anxious, what do you do about it? Do you sit and let your thoughts spiral you down? I do that. Today I stopped it because I made up my mind on what I'm going to do. I'm going to reach out to others in times I'm feeling like that. I did this morning. I reached out to some people and it filled me with such joy! To stop thinking about yourself and focus on others is the best anecdote to stress/anxiety/depression. All three of those things root down to selfishness. When you're in those 3 categories, all you're thinking about is yourself and how you're feeling. I can say this because I was able to test it this morning. It's true, helping others cancels out those three things.
So this has drawn a conclusion in my mind. Jesus did not spend 33 years here on earth for Himself. I'm positive He did not enjoy being beat and taking all of our sins (past, present, future) on Himself and going to hell to defeat death for 3 days. I'm sure He didn't enjoy it one bit, but He did it. His love is so deep for us that He did what He probably didn't want to do so that one day we can be with Him forever. To Him, the price was worth it. To Him, we are worth it. When I say we, I mean all of us. Every single person. Every liar, every rapist, every serial killer, every gang member, every narcissist, every negative thinker, every single one of us. We were created to love each other. We were created to reach out a hand and help our neighbor. That's why we are filled with joy and peace when we do.
This morning He woke me up early. I'm so happy He did because I thoroughly enjoyed our time together this morning. Just sitting in God's presence and having that relationship with Him. Turned on some worship music and we just talked. It was beautiful. I don't get to have that everyday right now, but I cherish it when I do. When I think about it, He woke me up early because He knew my heart desired it and He obviously knew the boys were sleeping in a little today. He loves me that much to give me my heart's desire. But it's not just me, it's you too. He loves you just as much as He loves me. That makes my heart happy. Sharing God with others makes me full of joy. So if you think of anything today, think about how much He really truly loves you.
I was just telling my brother this morning, that's commitment. On top of all that, even today He protects us and guides us and works in us. We are downright selfish and beastly as Max Lucado puts it. We don't deserve a thing. I don't deserve anything just like any murderer or rapist. I don't deserve this love, grace, and mercy, just like anybody else. But, it's a free gift given to us. Did you read that? FREE!!! We all love free stuff lol. So why wouldn't you want it? Why continue being selfish and beastly? Well, we're still human and we still fight within ourselves on a daily basis.
When you are feeling stressed or anxious, what do you do about it? Do you sit and let your thoughts spiral you down? I do that. Today I stopped it because I made up my mind on what I'm going to do. I'm going to reach out to others in times I'm feeling like that. I did this morning. I reached out to some people and it filled me with such joy! To stop thinking about yourself and focus on others is the best anecdote to stress/anxiety/depression. All three of those things root down to selfishness. When you're in those 3 categories, all you're thinking about is yourself and how you're feeling. I can say this because I was able to test it this morning. It's true, helping others cancels out those three things.
So this has drawn a conclusion in my mind. Jesus did not spend 33 years here on earth for Himself. I'm positive He did not enjoy being beat and taking all of our sins (past, present, future) on Himself and going to hell to defeat death for 3 days. I'm sure He didn't enjoy it one bit, but He did it. His love is so deep for us that He did what He probably didn't want to do so that one day we can be with Him forever. To Him, the price was worth it. To Him, we are worth it. When I say we, I mean all of us. Every single person. Every liar, every rapist, every serial killer, every gang member, every narcissist, every negative thinker, every single one of us. We were created to love each other. We were created to reach out a hand and help our neighbor. That's why we are filled with joy and peace when we do.
This morning He woke me up early. I'm so happy He did because I thoroughly enjoyed our time together this morning. Just sitting in God's presence and having that relationship with Him. Turned on some worship music and we just talked. It was beautiful. I don't get to have that everyday right now, but I cherish it when I do. When I think about it, He woke me up early because He knew my heart desired it and He obviously knew the boys were sleeping in a little today. He loves me that much to give me my heart's desire. But it's not just me, it's you too. He loves you just as much as He loves me. That makes my heart happy. Sharing God with others makes me full of joy. So if you think of anything today, think about how much He really truly loves you.
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