"Return to your rest, my soul, for the Lord has been good to you."
Psalm 116:7 NIV
At work, I have really been struggling to see the big picture. I have
seen my ethic challenged, but unlike Christ, I rose to defend myself.
Each night, I have kept this burden on my mind without releasing it. I
have let it affect the way I presented myself at work, when another
co-worker even questioned me that something about me was different. I
did not turn it over to Christ, instead letting it change even my
testimony. And, in this, I have sinned.
"He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth;
he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before its
shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth." Isaiah 53:7 NIV
"Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you." I Peter 5:7 NIV
Today, I felt relieved to make it through yet another route evaluation
in hopes of somehow earning their mark of approval. It has been about
me the entire time. And, again, I failed to realize, I have sinned, in
my pride.
"When they hurled their insults at him, he did not
retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted
himself to him who judges justly." I Peter 2:23 NIV
Last night,
as Nikki read Hope's devotional, we both realized it was not for her.
The Holy Spirit instead had us in mind. It was entitled "Big Picture".
As children, we accept things so simply. As adults, we strive for the
mark, but miss it because we often do not see God in the big picture.
"And he said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like
little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven." Matthew
18:3 NIV
This is an excerpt from the Veggietales "Growing Day by Day" 365 Daily Devos for Girls:
"Remembering all the great things God has done for you can change how
you look at the not-so-good things that can happen sometimes. It's what
we call "perspective" - a big word that really means looking at the
"big picture." Here are a few things to think about today:
#1 God made you and loves you forever
#2 God sent His Son, Jesus, to give you eternal life.
#2 God has a great plan for your life.
#4 God has given you talents and abilities so you can grow and do amazing things.
If you remember God's blessings and keep your eyes on the big picture, it is easy to relax and trust God."
Sin is not just the bad things we do in our lives; it is simply falling
short of the mark God has made for us. Falling short of His
righteousness, His perfection, His holiness, His Son's example. And
that is what I did. And, I pray that even though I missed the mark this
past week, that I can take hold of the following promise, then next
time, remember to sit back, relax, and trust God.
"If we confess
our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and
purify us from all unrighteousness." I John 1:9 NIV
Thank you
God for forgiveness, and thank you that you gave yourself for us
regardless of our shortcomings. Thank you for the cross, and thank you
especially this Easter week, for your victory over sin and death.
"But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 5:8 NIV
This Easter season, desire to look to our conquering King for our hope.
Let us give praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! For in
his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the
resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance
that can never perish, spoil or fade. (excerpts from 1 Peter 1:3) No one
is like you, LORD; you are great, and your name is mighty in power.
Among all the wise leaders of the nations and in all their
kingdoms, there is no one like you. (excerpts from Jeremiah 10:6-7) And
because of what Jesus has done, He has been given the name that is
above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in
heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge
that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father (excerpts from
Philippians 2:9-11). This morning, let give Him honor and glory as we
praise His Great Name!