God's Masterpiece

This devotion is in two formats, video and as a blogpost. Scroll farther down to read, instead of watch or listen.

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Of all of my children, Jackson is the one that is the most excited about art. He particularly loves oil pastels (and any other supply if it’s ‘new’.) Recently, I purchased a new brand of pastels, which made them of double interest to him. They were a step down from what I have been experimenting with but they much more affordable, with a wider selection of colors.

The night that they arrived, Jackson was excited to go to work and couldn’t wait for us to paint. We each got a piece of paper and started making marks just to see how they transferred to the paper. The new brand seemed to go on more easily than what we’d been using. They were also more chalky than oily. Our paper had a faint texture and Jackson was fascinated at the way the marks were coming out between the two mediums.

After completing his first piece, he proudly stood back with his hands on his hips and exclaimed: 

This is the goodest picture I’ve ever made. I love these things! Now, give me another piece [of paper]!”

I laughed then showed him how to make a few more marks from different angles.

The next thirty minutes or so were spent with him pummeling out a new piece of work. Topped off with a boast about the final product. Then he’d rip the paper from the board that secured it, fling it over his shoulder, across the room. Then demand another piece.

He was so full of himself and so proud. It was a little wild but adorable.

Now I don’t know what happens to us as we get older but it seems that somewhere, we learn that we’re not supposed to talk about our talents, display verbal pride about what we’ve produced, or even take up too much time talking about ourselves. Many of the things that we do say in our reflections are critical or downplayed because we don’t want to seem arrogant or we’re worried about upsetting someone else. (Ahem, people-pleasing.)

Sometimes, the things gone wrong, are the only marks that we see—forgetting how many of the things that we touch every day, are new to us as well.

There are other passages in scripture that also tell us to give God all of the glory. And somehow –sometimes --whether it's taught or interpreted-- when we try to reconcile giving everything to God against our being a sinner, we can believe that it's bad to accept anything good about ourselves at all. 

This might be a stretch but in the eyes of a mother looking at her son, it would seem strange for Jackson to stand back, look at his art, and tout that all that he produced was because of me. I provided him the tools. He gave me honor by wanting to spend time with me, doing what I was doing, using what I gave him; and by being unafraid of the unknown, risking a mess, in order to make a discovery.  

Just the same way, we have a heavenly Father that loves us more than any of us could fathom. How we give God glory can be hard to process or understand. But consider the words of Ephesians 2:10.

The ESV version says that “we are His workmanship in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them”.

I like the NLT translation even better. It calls us his ‘masterpiece’. And tells us that he has created us anew. So that we CAN DO the things that HE planned for us long ago.

What I want you to see here is that a ‘masterpiece’ is an artist's BEST work of art. Not the scrap paper, a test run, or even the 50^th reproduction.

Not only are we a masterpiece but we were created to make masterpieces, to do good work, and to follow his examples, as a creator, emulating him. That was his plan.

As a parent, I often think about the verse from Matthew 18:3 that asks us to be like little children. While you and I may not be quite as full of ourselves about our work, it is energizing to be around someone who is EXCITED about the things that they are working on. Who sees more of the potential and possibilities, rather than the reasons to stand back or behind.

In examples like this one, I can’t help but see that one of the best ways that we can give God glory is by developing a love for new things; not resisting change; following our curiosities in the things that we’re interested in even when it takes us out of our comfort zone; being open to God’s plan and the opportunities before us; wanting to be a part of new experiences, no matter what they ‘look like’ or how they turn out.

Believing that our best effort is a masterpiece by itself and the very best way to honor him. –You know, by practicing -- living out—what we say that we believe; that what God makes and has made, including each of us, is truly a beautiful and usable design after all.

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Mediate on that today, this week, this month, or when it resurfaces again. You are a work of art. Don’t overthink this. Some of the best art is ‘rough around the edges’. Maybe everything that you have been given, and will come in contact with, is provided to you, simply for you to ‘explore’ without making a ‘something’ of it. It may be the goodest thing you've ever done.

A Reflection on Humility

Humility... I don’t know what that word means to you but gosh it has been such a struggle for me to understand. I think it’s safe to admit that we all want to be more humble or at least seen as such. But when the definition of it and insecurity have similar words, it can gray the lines between one and the other especially in ‘lack’ versus ‘doubt.’

To explain what I mean, I want to look at a few definitions and some pictures of what humility ‘is not’ and then we’ll look at what it might actually be instead.

For example:

According to Google one definition of humble is ‘a modest or low view of one's own importance’.

While a definition of insecurity means to be - deficient in assurance (which is confidence or certainty in one's own abilities).

A synonym to humility is meekness which means submissiveness. –But if you’re not confident in yourself or abilities, that too will cause you to submit to others but for different reasons.

Another synonym to humility is diffidence meaning modesty or shyness resulting from a lack of self-confidence.

Diffidence also happens to be a synonym for insecurity…

Well, heck, no wonder we’re confused…

The space in between the two can leave so much room for self-deprecation, or an excuse to live in a way that skips or cheats you out of your full potential. -Living less than what God made you to be.

Meaning that we may assume that we’re either not as good as someone else or if we have never done something, we assume that it’s proof that we don’t have a special talent, gift, or skill… So we never challenge ourselves to find out otherwise.

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A more popular ‘explanation’ of humility is the phrase ‘Not to think less of self but to think of self-less.”

Hmmm. At first, it seemed like an ‘aha’ but something about that twist has never really set right with me either or satisfied what my heart wanted to know. We were just getting warmer.

I may not be speaking for the majority here but as a Christian, it’s a place that has tripped me up. Because we’re taught according to Philippians 2:3 to put others above ourselves. Please know that as I try to unravel this, I do NOT want to dispute that message. It’s one that I believe and take to heart.

But if you have ever struggled with insecurity, self-doubt, codependency, various traumas or wounds (like we all have) and if the way that you view yourself isn’t the same as what God sees, then in thinking of yourself less, it’s easy to push ‘you’ down.

You may not be critically (or verbally) putting you down anymore with this new expression but it can still be easy to dismiss your dreams, your interests, your needs, your voice, your power, your potential, your calling, and so on because of your lack of self-worth; or even because your wounds have taught you to ‘let others…..’ So we become comfortable hiding without even realizing that we’re doing so. In that case, we may never discover our gifts.

Or we can give more permission to others, and never learn to put our foot down, or even learn where those boundary lines are when it comes to the difference between you and others, or what is mine and what is yours.

But if God has given each of us a unique purpose, then exploring and cultivating that area of our life will need to be a priority at some point. If you and I aren’t the ones to uncover it, no one else will. Then we become like the man in the parable of the hidden talent. I find that interesting because half of the time, I think we hold back because we don’t want to appear to be greedy ‘chasing ours’ in front of others;  yet holding ourselves so tightly, has us instead turning out stingy before God with what he gave us and desired for us. **gulp**

But even if we do uncover some of our abilities, we may not ‘let them be’ a primary focus in our life. Instead, they can be secondary, last, or ‘whenever we have time for it’.  –I am not suggesting that ‘our thing’ comes before our families or everyone else, but I am saying that it’s okay to make regular time for it. –For your ‘it’ to be important too.

I mean think about that for a minute- Noah built an arc when there was no obvious reason to do so. Nehemiah REFUSED to come down from the wall. And since I am primarily speaking to women, please note that Esther fasted, consulted, planned, and put her life on a line, to confront a king and save her people; Ruth left everything that she ever had to start over; the woman with the bleeding disorder reached out and touched the hem of Jesus to heal herself despite the crowd and what they might have to say about it.

Because they (and what they were doing) had value too.

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Sometimes it’s all about a visual of something, isn’t it? I need pictures to help me see what I need to know.

So, let me twist the lens a little more because I think I’m finally onto something…

 

Another synonym to humility is a ‘lack of vanity’.

I don’t know about you but when I think about egos and pride, I think of anything in between feeling superior to feeling worthless or like a total screw up.

-Which would totally feed the misunderstandings that I mentioned above.

But when I think about vanity, which means inflated pride in oneself or appearance; I think about checking the mirror, constantly wondering ‘what do I look like’. Probably for most of us, it’s wondering what we look like in the eyes of our peers, or what others are thinking about what we’re doing.

As long as you are seeking validation or staying preoccupied with our image and with what people think, your eyes will be on your self—over analyzing, over explaining, second-guessing, comparing, judging, and so on…

True humility is when you are free to be yourself. It’s when you accept yourself and allow your own authenticity to show up. Because then you are suddenly freed up to be MORE present and helpful to others. You are a more active participant in the game and the world around you.

Of service.

Useable.

God Glorifying.

That may be a big leap but I think that’s exactly what the Psalmist meant in Psalms 119:37 when he wrote:

Turn away my eyes from looking at vanity, and revive me in your ways. NASB 💕 

I love that because ‘God’s way’ says that we can do ALL things with him (even without proof or previous history).

God’s way says that you and I are made in HIS image and that everything available to the Father is available to us. –HERE on earth as it is in heaven.

God’s way says that there are things in the unseen realm that we can believe in and trust in, without proof. We only have to have faith and live as though it is already done.

Humor me on this tangent but if you and I really live in Gods ways then we can trust that we are forgiven for ALL of our sins and that his grace is sufficient for each of us too.

Or that he can really use all things for good if we are willing to obey him and learn something from the lesson.

Like our verse in Psalms 119 says if we are ‘revived’ then life is restored our strength has returned.

And if we took a chance, pushed through our fear, and lived like I just mentioned above in ‘God’s way’, then we would certainly be revived because second guessing and double checking everything is exhausting! 

Friends, humility isn’t permission to hide behind a curtain because we are not important. Maybe humility is understanding that your purpose, your value, and your gift is more important than your fear or reputation. –And that BEING the purest version of yourself is the best offering that you can give God and those around you.

Allowing the space for you to create something with your life, isn’t selfish. We can still be of value with sober judgement like it says in Romans 12:3. (Knowing who we are and who we have been.) While still recognizing that the God who comes to saves sinners, is still able to do some pretty big things through you and me. –JUST LIKE HE DID with every single character in the bible- who by the way, were each, also flawed.

If we’re turning from vanity- then sure we can reflect on the thing, the moment, or the day, so that you can get the lesson. But then you TURN FROM IT and go on. You don’t live there, in your own reflection.

Perhaps it is then, that we bare his image.

What Do We Glorify

Throughout the Bible we see that our purpose, and also the purpose of our circumstance, is to reveal God and give Him Glory. 

As I think about those verses, it's got me wondering-

How many times do we have a bad day and we only speak of the things that made it bad; instead of the mini-miracles or the high-lights that are folded in- that made it good?

When we allow fear and dread of a coming event steal our focus, does it blind us also to the glimpses of God's Glory along the way?

What about the physical activities that we take part in that keep us from getting to be a part of His goodness to others?

If we let those things get the best of us each day, are we glorifying them instead of our heavenly Father?

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Many of us at times have said or thought, "I don't see God" or "What is glorifying about this circumstance". There are many examples that we could list here in order to back up those statements. I admit that I too struggle to see what can be good about some of our trials.

But Romans 1:21 says:

"For although they knew God they neither glorified God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened." 

In fact, if you read the rest of that passage; I count eight times where there is some variation of they "exchanged" and "abandoned" their faith and God's glory or "were given over" to what they had they're heart set on.

Three times alone it says "God gave them over" to their own depravity and then he lists for us what that looks like in verses 29-31.

It's not just sexual sin or hate crimes like we're inundated with on T.V. that we're given to- it says every kind of corruption- which means we can also be given over to strife, the gossip of our own lips, and lacks of love or mercy.

I know that you'll agree that life is hard enough. We don't need anything "darker".

Let's set our hearts on Him today. I pray that our eyes, ears, lips and mind follow. I challenge you to take note and look for the ways that God is good and dwelling amongst our very presence.

Imagine what that will do to your own faith and possibly the faith of another! <3






Photo Credit: Taken by Mr. Hotpants

Display of Love

This picture was taken by @mexia555 on Instagram

The kids and I were reading devotions the other morning and a quote by John Maxwell remained with me the rest of the day. "Often, attitude is the only difference between success and failure."
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As I mulled it over, many of the examples that came to mind about attitudes, revolved around our relationships and our love walk. Just as we sometimes believe that love is a feeling instead of an action, we can mistakenly confuse our attitude with our intentions.

We might intend to be kind every day but if we have a bad morning 57 days in a row and we are not kind on one of them; then we lived by the feeling instead of the action or the intention.

We can even tell ourselves that we'll look for the good qualities in people but still only choose to talk about the things that they do wrong or that we disagree with. We can become proud of one or two areas that we may give to others and yet show nothing but impatience and frustration when it's unexpected or not an opportune time for us to give again.

You know, like when we're behind an elderly person, shuffling feet, at the same time we're in a hurry, or when a child repeats the same first five words in a sentence- twenty times before getting the full sentence out. -Or what about in the scenarios that we might face as we approach this holiday season?

Attitude is what allows us or prevents us from saying "You're worth my time. I'm going to stop what I am doing [including feeling or thinking] to wait on, or turn this thing around with you." Attitude is what allows you to say you're sorry and overlooks blunders in others. It's also what allows you to learn from others even when you believe you're right and that they might be wrong.
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Doesn't that sound just like the example of love that we see in 1 Corinthians 13? Better yet, Philippians 2 is another great passage to consider. -Titled 'Joy in serving" here are some of the highlights:

 v3 - Do nothing in selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of others.

v5 - In your relationships with one another have the same mindset [attitude] as Christ. 

v8 - And in being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death. (obedient even when it kills us)

v14 - Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, "Children of God" without fault in a warped and crooked generation.

v15 - THEN YOU WILL SHINE AMONG THEM LIKE STARS IN THE SKY

This shot is the southern constellation of Tucana (The Toucan), taken by Nasa

I can't tell you how much I love that-- Both, looking at stars among the night sky and having the capacity to shine or even stand out like one of them.

The more that I think about shining; the more I see that really- if you want to know what your love walk looks like, you can check your attitude.

The very definition of the word says that attitude is "a settled way of thinking or feeling about someone or something, typically one that is a reflected in a person's behavior."

Pride and other factors may lie behind motives but our attitude is a much easier gauge to read when considering our actions. It really is the display shelf for what we allow ourselves to manifest in the world.

We might have grandiose ideas about what our love walk looks like by our feelings and intentions but only you and I, with our Maker, can see our attitude behind each gesture; and every opportunity that we miss along the way to shine for His glory.
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Isn't that such a beautiful picture?! I hope that it inspires you as much as it inspires me. May we all find the capacity to 'give' a little more this holiday day season. Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours.

Photo credits, click the links below or visit both on Instagram.
Milky Way by Mexia555
Stars by Nasa

37 Glimpses From The Life Of Jesus

So, I started this post over a year ago. It was just another one of those lists that I love to create for myself as a reference point. At the time, it felt incomplete and so it has sat there ever since. Then last week my Power of a Praying Wife group made it to chapter 10 - “His Choices”. As wives, we’re considering our choices too. This list came back to the surface and some other items were added. While it's still incomplete, there is certainly enough to get your thinking juices flowing.

In a world full of “do this” and “do that”, I thought it might be better to look to Jesus and what He did. Remember that popular phrase “WWJD” (What Would Jesus Do)? Well, this list is a conglomeration of things that I see when I look at his life. It might be a little too literal in some places …or is it? I don’t know. It’s not intended to be legalistic but rather to provoke thought in your own [and my] prayer life and actions. I can’t quite get the words the way that I want them on a few of these but I need to post it in order to keep the group moving along. Most of my documents are living documents anyway, which I go back and edit as I see fit and when time permits. This one is no different, so please feel free to check it again later. 

Oh and forgive the spacing. Blogger doesn't play nice with formatting, especially bullets.

I hope it stirs you to study your Bible and that it encourages you wherever you are on your own path. 

1. He used what He had – In any of the miracles you see that Jesus performed He is seen using only what He had or what was close by. Now, I believe that there is a holiness to that and so I don’t want to negate it with what I am getting ready to say. After all, He is part of God. But for the purpose of this bullet and our day-to-day let’s compare: using mud to heal the blind man, water to make wine, when He restored the ear of the high priest’s servant, etc.
   
   This speaks to me in my day to day, not even on a miracle-level yet. I’ve taken instant potatoes to a covered dish before because it was what I had. Sophie painted rocks for the activity/gift at a birthday party because it was what I had, I’ve written notes to encourage someone before instead of purchasing something because it was what I had. By no means are any of those things miracles BUT our society caters to buying MORE (and I can still get caught in the trap too) when it’s not even necessary. When I let God use me and what I have it has often meant more than what could be purchased or it freed me from some additional burden. If Jesus can make miracles from nothing or very little, you and I can get through our day to day with the same.
2. I once heard someone point out that when Jesus healed the blind man with mud, He used something that we were also made from like the dust of the ground. It made me wonder how many other little things just like that, I overlooked and what the relevance might be to them. I know that there is a holiness to them and a purpose in each one. While, I may not have unpacked them yet, let us not forget at a minimum that Jesus was a part of miracles. Do you and I even dare to get involved on that level with others or ourselves? Heck are we even part of the prayer chain leading up to it?
3. In any of those examples, He also shared what He had, no matter how little, with everyone. He understood that what was given to him, was not his alone.
   
   Can you and I do the same? When we make dinner and it’s only enough for one or two, can we invite someone to it. When you only have a dollar in your pocket or a material item be it jewelry, clothes or an appliance that someone else needs could you share it? …even if it means all of it.
4. When He spoke, it was the truth and only the truth. He didn’t add to it. Short. Simple. To the point. How many times do we unnecessarily add our opinions, our feelings, judgments, speculations or rationalizations? While those additions are often valuable, imagine what our conversations would look like if they were more like his.  How many of our conversations even include scripture?
5. He was tempted but always resisted.
6. And in case you missed it, He used scripture again to combat his temptations.
7. A pastor’s wife once said that when you hear someone say “Well, you’re only human….” Remember that Jesus was also human and still chose to live obediently and exhibited self control. –Bam!
8. “Ever notice that Jesus seems to see people as they could be, not as they are today? He saw disciples in ordinary fishermen, saints in sinners. He elevated people beyond their present circumstances so they could see a future full of potential not visible in their present state.” Taken from God’s Faint Path.
9. True to self and God. - There are some important similarities between The Festival of Tabernacles with his brother John 7:1-13 and The wedding in Cana with his mother John 2:1-11. In both cases, Jesus goes on to do what his relatives had suggested, but He does so on his own terms. These two stories emphasize Jesus' loyalty to his heavenly Father's will. Not even those closest to Jesus in human terms--his mother and brothers--could influence him. He must be entirely open and obedient to God. Here we see again Jesus as the model of discipleship. Taken from commentary.
10. He doesn’t complain. In both of those examples He makes the statement, “My hour has not come” and in other places, He says “I was about my father’s business…” or “It is good for me to go….” He KNEW that He was going to die. Yet you never see him complaining or acting like a martyr. He doesn’t even drag his feet onto the next task.
11. What are some things that Jesus said about himself? “I am the light of the world.” “All things have been handed over to me by my Father.“ “If you follow me you will be set free!” “I speak what the Father taught me.” I know you’re not going to say that you’re the light of the world but could you who believes say any of the same things about yourself to someone else?
12. What about things He said to others? “You can’t hear from God because you do not belong to him.” “Whoever confesses is saved…” or “Judgment will be worse for you than….” or even something as simple as "Lazarus, come out!" Do you or can you say any of those things as boldly as He did? In this item and the previous, there are a few things that are still hard for me. –Especially on the level of boldness! Does our comfort level with any of these examples tell us something about our own faith? Pretty thought provoking, huh?!
13. He didn’t need the disciples to cheer him on. He wasn’t looking to see what people on earth [sinners] we’re doing before figuring out what his steps should look like. He looked to God. Even when others accused or persecuted him or when they didn’t even understand his purpose; In nearly every passage you find Jesus, He is looking to God himself or pointing others to him.And since every single one of us on Earth is a sinner, shouldn’t we also look to him? Isaiah 55:8 says - "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the LORD.”
14. In John 17 – Jesus looks to the heavens and says "Father, the hour has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you”. Whether you believe that this is a real account or just a story, you most likely know what he’s referring to and it is anything other than “glorious”. Yet he’s ready and He does glorify God. Period. How about you and I? Even when we are presented with something inglorious or perhaps even when it turns our different than we were expecting, can we still glorify God in that circumstance or after? And to me "glory" is a little different than #13 where we're just looking and pointing.
15. What about in John 6:27 when Jesus tells the crowd at Capernaum “Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you...” What about you? Could you give up a career or at least, rearrange your schedule to get more spiritual food than bread?
16. Jesus prayed – We believe that God already knows our prayers and so we don’t always take the time to pray them. But if God knows anyone, He certainly knows Jesus. Jesus IS part of the Trinity. Yet He still took the time to pray, for himself, and for others.
17. Jesus Trusted - I remember once asking someone what his prayers might have looked like or sounded like. My friend said we see that here.  I thought to myself, No, for real…like when He was in private or what wasn’t recorded in scripture. I mean here he’s playing it cool. He’s going to a cross to die. Yet sometimes in my own prayers, I am freaked our and scared to death over lesser things. Don’t you think that there was a moment when he was at least that scared?
    We catch a glimpse of that when He prayed for the Father to take his cup, the verse says that He prayed earnestly. –Which means purposefully, with depth and fervor. He says “if you are willing” and the verse says He was strengthened. It didn’t change what God laid out, it changed him.
    
    Even then does his prayer in the heat of the moment sound like yours? How does it differ and why?
18. In John 17:9 again while Jesus is praying He says “I pray for them. I am not praying for the world but for those you have given me, for they are yours.” It’s easy to consider our children and spouses given to us but what about our coworkers, our friends, our enemies or even complete strangers. Is anyone that is in your path, given to you? Is everyone in your path even your enemies, treated as belonging to God and serving a purpose in your life?
19. He served - Jesus recognized and understood all of the power that was given to him and yet while He could be delegating responsibilities, He served instead.  –Not just in healing the sick, making wine or appearances but He even washed the feet of his disciples.
20. He didn’t hide his emotions. He marveled. He wept. He was angry. He loved.
21. He came to _______ not to ______. John 3:17
22. Jesus is seen not just eating but also kicked back and reclining not only with his friends but also with tax-payers and the Pharisees. In fact, He even tells us to invite the poor and the Pharisees instead of our friends. Although not just to serve them or do some good deed but to sit down and know them and let them know you. Even during the Last Supper, He is seen again reclining; knowing full well that he’s going to die the next day AND that someone who is at the table is going to betray him. You’ll also notice that those who were with him, reclined too.
    
    Do you and I eat at a table or in the car always on the go and miss the essence of breaking bread with others. I don’t yet know what it is but there is something that happens when we eat together without any other distractions. Also, do our tasks, prejudices or something else limit when or who we do that with?
23. Even Jesus was baptized (Mat 3:13-17)
24. And filled with the Holy Spirit (Luke 4:1)
25. And He fasted. (Mat 4)
26. And He sang.
27. Most of us speculate that “the least of these” is a reference for those in need, children, or the sick. I also read a thought provoking article that said it might even be messengers of Christ and those in the church. I wonder if it’s actually anything or everything that we think that we’re above. For instance, if we ‘don’t do’ hospitals and funerals or if we are above leading or spending time with a certain age group. No one was too little for him.
    
    This is my emphasis alone “Truly, I say to you, as you did it to [what you consider to be] one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’’  -Where are you willing and unwilling to serve?
28. He showed honor for parents.
29. Mary & Martha referred to Lazarus as the one Jesus loved. John was also often referred to the same way and even said so about himself.  Do those in your circle know and claim your love for them?
30. He accepted what others had to give, no matter how small and didn’t rebuke it. (Example: woman & perfume and the widows coins)
31. It seems like anyone in the Bible that met Jesus either loved or hated him. Many were radically changed by one encounter alone. Do you and I even put ourselves out there enough to be unforgettable or to stir the hearts of others or are we kept to ourselves; holding back or hiding [as in not even discovering or sharing] our talents, testimonies and truth?
32. Content with little. He was a traveler. He had no earthly home of his own from what I can tell. He most likely only had the clothes on his back. No other material possessions. Would that be enough for you and me?
33. Talk about solely depending on God's provision- Not only going with so little but also in depending on what was given by others? I mean how many times have you heard someone say or even said yourself “I don’t accept handouts” or “If I can’t get it myself, I’ll go without.” Or “I don’t need anyone”. I don’t believe that we were made to be self-sufficient silos or to only be the ones giving the helping hand. We were also made to also receive it. Humility comes with a little humiliation. Trusting that God can provide what you need not necessarily what you want or the way that you want it.
34. Where are your roots? Is it your church or your career or your hobby? I mean we plan and save for college and retirement. We pay 30-year mortgages and search for solidity and permanence in our plans. A friend says [something like] we have an “eternal longing in our hearts” and so whether or not we realize it, we’re drawn to things about going home or securing the future. But is it supposed to be satisfied or long lasting here? Did Jesus or the disciples have security in anything other than God? Maybe it only depends on each of our callings, like the difference between a missionary, a monk (and then anyone in between) but it makes me think none-the-less. How rooted are we supposed to be in anything while we’re here?
35. Asking rhetorical questions like to the lame man,  "Do you want to be well?" Sure the obvious answer for me would be that we should question everything but Jesus certainly wasn't questioning what He already knew. He was giving the other person questions instead of stating all of the answers, letting others find the answer themselves. See here for more.
36. He died for everyone, not just his mother and brothers and close friends.
37. Even though He was going to give the biggest or greatest thing that He could give, He didn’t let it stop him from giving in the lesser ways before then.

Whew you made it to the end! -And I know there is so much more to add! I didn't even get into his childhood yet. Tell me what else I missed or what things stand out to you about his life, from your own study time. Comment below.

The point is that He died so that you could live. How do you spend that life honoring, ahem Glorifying him and who are you looking to for guidance in it?



Photo Credit: https://www.pinterest.com/yogibynature/faith-runs-deep/ also: https://hopeandhappinessmission.files.wordpress.com/2015/10/e124f811c287ecb5ef2a174f60778506.jpg