Did you know that when you still have nine minutes left to go on the treadmill, it’s a whole lot different to when there are only nine minutes left of your favourite TV show. I felt God challenge me with this thought as I looked down at the 21 minute timer on a 30 minute clock. Life is all about perspective. Do you have the right one?
As we go about living life, parenting our kids, loving our spouse, walking in community with others – do we carry Kingdom perspective?
In Matthew, the Bible tells us that Joseph’s plan was to leave Mary and her unborn baby:
“The birth of Jesus Christ came about this way: After his mother, Mary had been engaged to Joseph, it was discovered before they came together that she was pregnant from the Holy Spirit. So her husband Joseph, being a righteous man, and not wanting to disgrace her publicly, decided to divorce her secretly.” – Matthew 1:18-19.
In Joseph self tainted; rose-tinted view of life, it would have been better to leave Mary and divorce her quietly. But then an angel appeared to Joseph in a dream. God gave Joseph vision for a future in which he would nurture the plans that God had for his life – Joseph would father the Son of God.
“But after he had considered these things, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, don’t be afraid to take Mary as your wife, because what has been conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to name him Jesus because he will save his people from their sins.” – Matthew 1:20-21
Sometimes, our viewpoint needs a different vision. Sometimes, our outlook on life, needs a different point of observation. Sometimes we need to adjust our fitted framed lenses, and search for a new perspective – a Godly perspective.
Can I challenge you to take nine minutes this side of 2019 and search out God’s Word for a fresh perspective? May 2020 be the year of fresh revelation and willingness to wander and walk into the things of God.
Now all this took place to fulfill what was spoken by the Lord through the prophet: See, the virgin will become pregnant and give birth to a son, and they will name him Immanuel, which is translated “God is with us.” When Joseph woke up, he did as the Lord’s angel had commanded him. He married her but did not have sexual relations with her until she gave birth to a son. And he named him Jesus. – Matthew 1: 22-25
When we are obedient to God’s Word, we become instruments for His Kingdom. When we follow His instructions, we are invited into a spacious place of freedom with a promised future of forever. Walking with Jesus is not a limitation of rules and regulations, but rather it’s an invitation to walk and live out a life of richness and rewards.
Will you accept the invitation? Will you accept the challenge to take on a Godly perspective in all you do and allow it to alter every thought you carry. As I ponder on 2020, I allow Gods Word to wash my thoughts and bring correction to my human corruption, the corrupt thoughts of my heart. I allow His Word to nestle it’s way into every crevice of my mind and rebuke, correct and teach me the way in which I should walk. “Show me your perspective Jesus, so that I can mother my kids, love my husband and learn to walk wisley in the community you have placed me in.” This is the prayer of my heart.
Would you do the same?
May Jesus be the benchmark that we set our sights upon this new year. May character build and Goldly living be at the core of who we are. May we do away with wish-washy christianity and truly follow the One who sits on the throne. May we pass every small and big decision through the examination of His Word.
Joseph chose to forgo his selfish decision and in obedience, he listenend to what the angel had said. The road ahead for Mary and Joseph was far from easy – they faced many challenges – but they walked in the plans that God had for them. Walking in true obedience is worship unto the King. May we chose to worship Jesus with every thought, every word, every step we walk. He is worthy of it all!
So take nine minutes and gain some perspective; will you?