Sometimes we Forget
Now when John heard in prison about the deeds of the Christ, he sent word by his disciples and said to him, "Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?" And Jesus answered them, "Go and tell John what you hear and see: the blind receive their sight and the lame walk, lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear, and the dead are raised up, and the poor have good news preached to them. And blessed is the one who is not offended by me." Matthew 11:2-6 ESV
Sometimes we forget God is doing something in our world even when we aren't a part of it.
This most often happens when we are suffering. When things are not going our way. We play the "why me" card and throw a pity party. We wonder when our day will come.
John sends disciples to Jesus having heard how well things were going to wonder "Are you the one?" John sits in prison. He's there for preaching truth to those who did not like to hear it.
Jesus is beloved and adored and followed. Tax collectors and sinners are coming in droves. His success must have been confusing at best for John.
Jesus tells John to report on what God is doing now, even when he isn't the main beneficiary.
I like how Andy Stanely put it in "Deep and Wide":
In other words (Jesus says): "tell John what's going on outside of his misery. Tell them not to let his face get swallowed up in his immediate surroundings. Pointed to the broader context. Doing so will help them rightly interpret what's happening to him."
The Lord's prescribed prayer begins, "Our Father". He is not just "my Father." I am part of a whole. I am not the center or focus of His plan. So we say, "Thy will be done" in unison - it is clear - the will of God is not mine alone but ours collectively.
Though John questions Jesus, Jesus turns around and praises the work done by John. No Old Covenant prophet is greater than John. Quite a compliment. Jesus rejoices over John though he lies in a prison.
You might not be the beneficiary of God's power and miracles at times, but you are always His esteemed child.
True blessing is in the being.
PRAYER:
I struggle with this. I develop a "why me" complex almost constantly. Father, I am part of what you are doing. That is enough. I am crucified with Christ, I no longer live. Help me to see and rejoice that you are at work even when I'm not the beneficiary. It's all for your glory.
Sometimes we forget God is doing something in our world even when we aren't a part of it.
This most often happens when we are suffering. When things are not going our way. We play the "why me" card and throw a pity party. We wonder when our day will come.
John sends disciples to Jesus having heard how well things were going to wonder "Are you the one?" John sits in prison. He's there for preaching truth to those who did not like to hear it.
Jesus is beloved and adored and followed. Tax collectors and sinners are coming in droves. His success must have been confusing at best for John.
Jesus tells John to report on what God is doing now, even when he isn't the main beneficiary.
I like how Andy Stanely put it in "Deep and Wide":
In other words (Jesus says): "tell John what's going on outside of his misery. Tell them not to let his face get swallowed up in his immediate surroundings. Pointed to the broader context. Doing so will help them rightly interpret what's happening to him."
The Lord's prescribed prayer begins, "Our Father". He is not just "my Father." I am part of a whole. I am not the center or focus of His plan. So we say, "Thy will be done" in unison - it is clear - the will of God is not mine alone but ours collectively.
Though John questions Jesus, Jesus turns around and praises the work done by John. No Old Covenant prophet is greater than John. Quite a compliment. Jesus rejoices over John though he lies in a prison.
You might not be the beneficiary of God's power and miracles at times, but you are always His esteemed child.
True blessing is in the being.
PRAYER:
I struggle with this. I develop a "why me" complex almost constantly. Father, I am part of what you are doing. That is enough. I am crucified with Christ, I no longer live. Help me to see and rejoice that you are at work even when I'm not the beneficiary. It's all for your glory.
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