Mindset

Luke 15: ¹⁷ “But when he came to himself, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! ¹⁸ I will arise and go to my father, and will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you, ¹⁹ and I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Make me like one of your hired servants.” ’

²⁰ “And he arose and came to his father. But when he was still a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him. ²¹ And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight, and am no longer worthy to be called your son.’

²² “But the father said to his servants,  ‘Bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet. ²³ And bring the fatted calf here and kill it, and let us eat and be merry; ²⁴ for this my son was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ And they began to be merry.

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“Aw man, am I going to get punished this time!” I thought to myself. I mean I had promised GOD I would not do this particular sin anymore, yet there I was. My mind started racing as I tried to come up with things to say to GOD. “Maybe I’ll start out with, ‘Remember that time I served those people’?” was the practice in my mind.

• There were many times when I thought about GOD as this ‘graceless’ being.
• There were many times when I looked at GOD as being the ‘ultimate punisher.’
• There were many times when I viewed GOD as an ‘unforgiving tyrant.’

JESUS continues with the illustration of the son who left his father to squander everything. The son was now homeless and worse off than before. When he reasoned that even the father’s servants had it better than him, he decided to practice begging, still having a very wrong view of who his father was.

• GOD wants to have a real relationship with me so I can truly see who HE is.
• GOD wants me to change my sinful view of HIM and stop blaming HIM for not doing enough for me.
• GOD wants me to humbly seek HIM, not demand or command HIM to do stuff for me.

Compassion and love are GOD’s strongest qualities to those who love HIS SON. Yes, HE does allow consequence to happen as part of HIS love, but HE forgives me in spite of my actions. HE has already seen all of my sins, so my temporary goodness is always mired with gunk.

JESUS tries to explain the love of the FATHER who sees my heart a long way off. HE can tell when I have truly given my life to HIM rather than doing life “my” way. HIS compassion is great to me.

• What is your view of GOD?
• Do you think HE has left you?
• Will you stop thinking of GOD negatively and ask GOD for compassion and love today?
• Will you allow GOD to be GOD in your life by confessing how much you are trying to control HIM?

It takes work

Joshua 17: ¹⁷ But Joshua said to the tribes of Joseph—to Ephraim and Manasseh—“You are numerous and very powerful. You will have not only one allotment ¹⁸ but the forested hill country as well. Clear it, and its farthest limits will be yours; though the Canaanites have chariots fitted with iron and though they are strong, you can drive them out.”

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Sitting around moping that I didn’t get the job I stared at my work on my old job. It seemed even harder to do my job because I was on the brink of something new and didn’t get it. I really thought this job was going to be the pinnacle of my career. 

I got mad at GOD wondering why HE had me go through all of this waiting and juggling. My boss said, “I’m sorry you didn’t get the position, but you have a job to do here.” You mean I still have to work hard and perform?

• I sometimes make the mistake of thinking GOD is a genie who will grant me wishes instantly.
• I sometimes make the mistake of thinking GOD will make me successful without a painful process.
• I sometimes make the mistake of thinking GOD doesn’t care for me when I have to work hard to be successful.

Call it spoiled but can’t GOD just drop a pile of money in my lap and give me a life of ease? Yes, but HE doesn’t work like that in my life.  I have to work hard following HIS way.

• GOD says to me “Work will be hard on this cursed earth.”
• GOD says to me “If I don’t work I don’t eat.”
• GOD says to me “Come to ME heavy laden and I will give you rest.”

It would be naïve for me to think life will be easy. GOD’s plan includes obstacles for me to face and opposition to HIS kingdom. HE doesn’t want me to shrink into the corner, fearful of shadows rather HE wants me to get up each day ready to face what HE has in store for me. When I get tired HE provides me rest.

• Are you tired?
• Are you sick?
• Can you rest for a while and recharge in order to get back out there?
• Won’t you pace yourself to continue instead of burning out and being no good to anyone?