Matthew 11:28-30 Perspective

Matthew 11:28-30 The Message (MSG)

^28-30 “Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.”

You may not recognize this passage in The Message, but it is where Jesus says to join Him because His burden is light.

I love how this version stated Jesus' invitation to join Him. To get His perspective. To walk in His directives, not in my own. To learn from Him.

I especially love the line, "Learn the unforced rhythms of grace."

Being a follower of Jesus does not have to be labor intensive. But it must be intentional. Living as Christ lived is not easy, but it is freeing. Too often I can get caught in the "immediate." What do I have to do today for work? Who needs me to be where? What spinning plate have I let fall? And I forget to maintain perspective. If I would just look at what is happening in the world around me - near and far - I would begin to see my little "to do" list in a different light.

God calls me to work - but my job is not my most important "occupation." God calls me to be available to others. But my most important relationship is with Him. God calls me to diligence. But are all my plates God-appointed?

Jesus is calling me to walk alongside of Him and only Him in everything I do. I want to walk with Him and learn the unforced rhythms of grace. 

Father, teach me to remain focused on You and not the immediate. To grasp the power of Your Presence and not the pull of my calendar. Train me in the way of the unforced rhythms of grace so I may be more like you. So be it.

Further Thoughts:

1. In what ways have you lost perspective? How do you regain it?
2. How do you maintain "life" and keep your focus on Jesus?
3. What does it truly mean to live in the unforced rhythms of grace? 

 

Colossians 3:1-2 "Check Out the View"

Read Colossians 3:1-2.

"Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things." NIV

Wow, chapter 3 is so chocked full of information. We don't see the rules of man, but now we are simply looking at God's laws for how we live our life.

First of all, we have to get the right perspective. We live here on earth in the muck and mire, joys and celebrations that is called life. Everyday we get up, go through a morning routine, go to work or school, interact with others, meet challenges -- sometimes succeeding, sometimes failing. We come home, again interacting with others, this time family -- sometimes succeeding, sometimes failing. We go out with friends or to evening activities or meetings. Come home, unmask, and go to bed. Those are the bare bones of most people's existence to some degree or another. Now in there are interspersed many joyful times and some tragic. Some messy relationships and some amazing friendships. We face temptations and fight discouragement. We experience creative moments that overwhelm us and views of stars and vistas that leave us in awe.

But through all these events, minus a few airplane rides, our perspective is firmly grasped in an earthly view. We see all things linear -- in time and space. There is a beginning to all things and an end. We work, we go home. We cook a meal, eat it, and clean it up. We start projects and finish them. We live, we die.

But God is calling us to a higher perspective -- His view. He's telling us to separate ourselves from this earth, and it's trappings and limitations, and see life as He sees it. We are children of the King and the King is telling us to take a look from the throne room. The view is much different from that angle. The foggy places are clear. The darkness is seen darker, and where the light shines, we are blinded by its brilliance. He's saying that we should see ourselves and our simply little lives from His perspective and embodied in the His view of who we are and what our purpose is. The Almighty invites us to look through His eyes to a hope and a future -- to a better way that rises above the complexities of this earth so we can live in it but not be of it. Will you take a look? The view is amazing.

Further Thoughts:

1. Compare and contrast Paul's life before Christ and after. How did his perspective change?
2. Why do we get stuck in the earthly perspective? What breaks down to make that happen?
3. When are the times that you have seen as God sees?
4. What view do you have right now? Why?

Joseph: Genesis 50:15-26 "Finishing Well"

Read Genesis 50:15-26.

"But Joseph said to them, 'Don't be afraid. Am I in the place of God?'" NIV

After all they had been through with Joseph, the brothers were still afraid of him and the retribution he could wield. I'm amazed that they hadn't seen him for who he really had become. But they had seen his dreams come true. I suppose that would bring fear to anyone. They also probably suffered from a lot of guilt over what they had done to Joseph and their father. Now that Jacob's protection was gone, Joseph could use his power to get revenge. But he didn't.

Joseph had found amazing forgiveness and healing over the years. He chose to see the situation for what God had done with it rather than dwelling in the midst of his suffering. How easy would it have been for Joseph to have all his brothers thrown in prison for the remainder of their lives? He'd have not only gotten rid of them, but gained all their wealth as well. But Joseph was not the man they thought he had become. The scars remained, but the heart was pure.

How often do we choose to hang onto the scars and bitterness of our past? The damage that causes affects so many aspects of our lives -- physical well-being, relationships, most importantly the hardness of our hearts and our relationship with the Father. Forgiveness sets us free from the bondage of our hurt and allows us to move in step with the Father, not with the past.

Further Thoughts:

1. Are you hanging onto bitterness in your life? 
   
2. How does Joseph reflect Jesus and his future suffering?
   
3. How was Joseph a big-picture thinker?
   
4. Write down some thoughts about Joseph's life and how his example can help you grow?