all about perspective

3:23pm EST, Sunday, November 27, 2011. On that day, and at that time, I had a thought that I never expected, and would have never thought would ever, under any circumstances (with the exception of being chased), ever think. This thought was: "I need to go running."

This may seem silly, but it's true! I have always detested physical exercise, and always thought it would be something that I would never do faithfully. Whenever I have done any exercising in the past outside of working, it has always been grudgingly and with a firm, unwavering negative disposition.

About two months ago, my roommate and I began a workout program. At first, I had the same perspective that I always had, along with a secret hope that my roommate would flake out on our plans so I wouldn't be responsible for not continuing faithfully (I'm so thankful that didn't happen!). However, after I decided to look to the Word about this, I began to think about how me being faithful to our running plan is a great metaphor in the five senses of me faithfully and freely running to serve spiritually, and that I was applying the principle of making my body an effective vehicle for moving the word. With this new perspective, the running itself got easier (it felt as though a weight had been lifted), and the time spent was more and more enjoyable. Now, I look forward to our morning runs!

 God's perspective is higher than ours. 


Isaiah 55:9

For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.

When I chose to look to God's perspective rather than my own, not only were our runs easier, but they became more fun. This applies to more than just physical exercise. When we live life with love, God says that His commandments are not grievous.


I John 5:3

For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous. 

We do our best and live with love, and God helps us out. Life is exciting!!!!!!!!!!

Faithfulness

As born again believers, we all have the same measure of faith as a part of our "holy spirit package." That measure at faith is by grace, not by works. However, the measure of our faithfulness is dictated by our works.

How is our faithfulness measured? It is measured by our words and deeds. Now, is this our others perceive us? Let's look at this example of Jesus talking about being faithful to pray.

Matthew 6:1-6

Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven. Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth: That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly. And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.

If Jesus was teaching to be faithful to pray when we're alone, do others' opinion dictate how faithful we are? NO!!!!!!!!!!!!! It's all about the heart


Luke 16:10, 13-15

He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much...No servant can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon. And the Pharisees also, who were covetous, heard all these things: and they derided him.And he said unto them, Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God.

God blesses us for being faithful.

Psalm 31:23

O love the LORD, all ye his saints: for the LORD preserveth the faithful, and plentifully rewardeth the proud doer.