Step Back

2 Cor. 5:17 (NAB, emphasis added) “So whoever is in Christ is a new creation: the old things have passed away; behold, new things have come.”

In order to cheer up when change looks distant, you must stop and Appreciate The Master’s Work, and sometimes that means celebrating the little things. A woman practically dragged her husband to my office because she was convinced, he needed counselling. The problem was, even when she is sitting right beside him, her husband could not help looking at beautiful women. On this particular day, however, she had seen the beautiful woman from a distance and was watching to see what her husband would do. Her husband did not turn to look at the woman as usual, but she saw his eyes move. This man used to turn his neck before, now it is only his eyes, change has happened, and we have to celebrate it. Do not get me wrong, I am not endorsing men with roving eyes. What are you looking for when you have already married the most beautiful woman in the world?

The truth is, when we celebrate the little gains it gets reinforced and it becomes big. When you appreciate what God is doing in your life you have “An In-Explainable joy”. 2 Cor. 5:17 (NAB, emphasis added) “So whoever is in Christ is a new creation: the old things have passed away; behold, new things have come.” If in your life, you cannot say the old has passed and the new has come, I suggest that you consider your walk with God. Why? Eze. 36:26-27 (MSG) “I’ll give you a new heart, put a new spirit in you.  I’ll remove the stone heart from your body and replace it with a heart that’s God-willed, not self-willed. I’ll put my Spirit in you and make it possible for you to do what I tell you and live by My commands.” 

A lot of people are too self-willed. But when we come to God, God gives us a new heart. He puts a new spirit within us. Zep. 3:16-17 “On that day the announcement to Jerusalem will be, “Cheer up, Zion! Don’t be afraid! For the Lord your God is living among you. He is a mighty saviour. He will take delight in you with gladness. With his love, he will calm all your fears. He will rejoice over you with joyful songs.”  On this day, the announcement to you will be “Cheer Up!” and so shall it be in Jesus Name, Amen. 

Are you struggling with embracing the big picture? Or have you embraced the big picture but cooperating with God makes you uncomfortable? Do you find it difficult to accept your unique path, to accept the fact that everybody’s journey and the story is different? Or is your struggle with appreciating what God is doing in your life? This is not about someone else encouraging you, but about you seeing the beauty of what God is doing in your life. Jesus Himself says to us in John 16:33 (GW/CEV) “In the world you’ll have trouble but cheer up! I have defeated the world.’”

Prayer: Lord Jesus, I choose to embrace the big picture, cooperate with the Master Artist, accept God’s unique process for me, and appreciate the Master’s work, in Jesus Name. Amen!