Theme: We are only who we were created to be in Him!
Aoccdrnig to rscheearch at an Elingsh uinervtisy, it deosn't mttaer in waht oredr the ltteers in a wrod are, the olny iprmoetnt tihng is taht the frist and lsat ltteer is at the rghit pclae. The rset can be a toatl mses and you can sitll raed it wouthit a porbelm. Tihs is bcuseae we do not raed ervey lteter by istlef but the wrod as a wlohe.
This little exercise shows us that, regardless of how letters are arranged, we can still read the words. As said in the exercise language, this is because we do not read every letter but each word as a whole. There is a more significant lesson to be gleaned from this little exercise, as we must learn to read life the way we read words on a page, resisting the temptation to focus too much on individual events and choosing to take it all in, as a whole.
In Revelation 22:13, Jesus says, “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.” This suggests, among other things, that the beginning and the end of all things are exactly as they should be. God created us with a purpose; the beginning and ending will be exactly as He planned. The ending, as we now know it, will actually be the beginning, as there is no ending for those who trust in Jesus.
It is in this middle where we now live, and it is often a jumbled mess! But God has not left us to wallow in the chaos and confusion. By ensuring the beginning and the end of all things are what they should be, God restores meaning to what is in the middle.
When we read life as a whole, the chaos in the middle preserves its proper meaning. When we begin to focus on each letter of life, we become confused and disoriented about where we are and who we are. As Pastor Dan taught in His message, we must learn to focus totally on Jesus to read the words of life in the proper order.
Jesus also said, “Look, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to each person according to what they have done.” (Revelation 22:12). Now we know that we are not who we should be in this messy middle. Even Paul knew he was not always who he wanted to be. However, the answer again lies in where we focus our eyes. When our focus narrows on us and what we need or want to carry out, we may experience some success, but at what cost to us and others? We see true miracles when we surrender every ounce and molecule of ourselves, goals, desires, and pride to His end and purpose. There is no comparison between what God can do through a surrendered us and what we accomplish on our own, and the joy of what is achieved is spread to all, not just to the doer.
Turn your eyes upon Jesus,
Look full in His wonderful face,
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,
In the light of His glory and grace.
Soon, we will see Him in all His Glory and be out of this messy middle because He promised us, “He who testifies to these things says, “Yes, I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.” - Revelation 22:20 NIV
Scripture: Isaiah 51:6 (NIV)
“Lift up your eyes to the heavens, look at the earth beneath; the heavens will vanish like smoke, the earth will wear out like a garment and its inhabitants die like flies. But my salvation will last forever, my righteousness will never fail.”
Prayer:
Lord, I confess that too often, amid toil and stress, I return to my old ways of relying on myself. It is a too familiar and comfortable place. As I look back at what was accomplished when I relied on myself, I can see that Satan allowed some success both monetarily and in self-esteem, but always void of true joy and with no benefit to anyone but me. Lord, do whatever is necessary to teach me to focus on you in every moment of life, and make me addicted to the miracles I see you perform through a totally surrendered me. Your Glory!
So Be It!
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