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Week of September 25, 2016
Does your Past cloud your Future?
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Key Verses:
“Now as Jesus passed by, He saw a man who was blind from birth. And His disciples asked Him, saying, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” Jesus answered, “Neither this man nor his parents sinned, but that the works of God should be revealed in him.” John 9:1-3 NKJV http://bible.com/114/jhn.9.1-3.nkjv |
Devotional:
For the past few years, God has allowed me to come face-to-face with several of the deep hurts in my life. And I have truly tried to figure out why. Why did they happen? Why do they keep coming back? Why do I keep remembering? I thought of several reasons. Maybe because I didn’t do it right the first time. Maybe I didn’t understand it the first time. Maybe I haven’t truly forgiven all the parties involved. Maybe I haven’t forgiven myself. Maybe I haven’t truly let it go. Maybe I needed to see the truth in the mirror. There are more reasons and speculation than there are answers. But until God says why, I can only wonder. And the worst wonder is “What is there about me that causes me to be drawn into these same situations?
In John 9, after seeing a blind man - someone with a frailty - Jesus was asked who sinned such that this man bore the burden of blindness. But Jesus’ response implies there is no such thing as fault. He said, “… he was born blind so that God’s work might be revealed in him.” Jesus’ response implies that this infirmity has nothing to do with the man or his lack of sight. This experience has all to do with an opportunity for this man and others to see the grace and blessings of Christ.
Often we wonder what we did or why did this happen to us. But have we ever stopped to think that this may have very little to do with us or something that we did? Our frailties, troubles, or concerns are simply opportunities for us to rely on Him such that our path may glorify Him. These events become opportunities for someone to see God’s glory and we are simply the instrument.
God gives us opportunities to share our experiences; to share ourselves; to allow people to see how God solves our situations. Sometimes what is going on with us is only an opportunity for others to see that God does not fail. How we worship, how we live during our times of trouble and triumph allows others and ourselves to witness the true grace of Christ.
But more importantly, our God is not a petty God, withholding his gifts because we have trouble or we cause our own disconnects. Our God is a loving, compassionate, and forgiving God who grooms us, prunes us, and prepares us to be in receipt of his gifts. How small of me to believe that the desires of our hearts are withheld as punishment. God wants us to have the desires of our hearts; he only asks that we live, hope, and find joy in Him (Psalm 37:4).
Also, in the scripture, Jesus gave the blind man specific instructions to follow. When he did and returned a sighted man, all were amazed. God gives us specific instructions also. Pray without ceasing. Lean not unto our own understanding. Delight ourselves in Him. When we follow these directions, we are rewarded with his grace and mercy. Everything that happens is not about us. When we sit and allow our past to haunt us, we cloud the possibilities of hearing from God and moving forward in his grace.
For the past few years, God has allowed me to come face-to-face with several of the deep hurts in my life. And I have truly tried to figure out why. Why did they happen? Why do they keep coming back? Why do I keep remembering? I thought of several reasons. Maybe because I didn’t do it right the first time. Maybe I didn’t understand it the first time. Maybe I haven’t truly forgiven all the parties involved. Maybe I haven’t forgiven myself. Maybe I haven’t truly let it go. Maybe I needed to see the truth in the mirror. There are more reasons and speculation than there are answers. But until God says why, I can only wonder. And the worst wonder is “What is there about me that causes me to be drawn into these same situations?
In John 9, after seeing a blind man - someone with a frailty - Jesus was asked who sinned such that this man bore the burden of blindness. But Jesus’ response implies there is no such thing as fault. He said, “… he was born blind so that God’s work might be revealed in him.” Jesus’ response implies that this infirmity has nothing to do with the man or his lack of sight. This experience has all to do with an opportunity for this man and others to see the grace and blessings of Christ.
Often we wonder what we did or why did this happen to us. But have we ever stopped to think that this may have very little to do with us or something that we did? Our frailties, troubles, or concerns are simply opportunities for us to rely on Him such that our path may glorify Him. These events become opportunities for someone to see God’s glory and we are simply the instrument.
God gives us opportunities to share our experiences; to share ourselves; to allow people to see how God solves our situations. Sometimes what is going on with us is only an opportunity for others to see that God does not fail. How we worship, how we live during our times of trouble and triumph allows others and ourselves to witness the true grace of Christ.
But more importantly, our God is not a petty God, withholding his gifts because we have trouble or we cause our own disconnects. Our God is a loving, compassionate, and forgiving God who grooms us, prunes us, and prepares us to be in receipt of his gifts. How small of me to believe that the desires of our hearts are withheld as punishment. God wants us to have the desires of our hearts; he only asks that we live, hope, and find joy in Him (Psalm 37:4).
Also, in the scripture, Jesus gave the blind man specific instructions to follow. When he did and returned a sighted man, all were amazed. God gives us specific instructions also. Pray without ceasing. Lean not unto our own understanding. Delight ourselves in Him. When we follow these directions, we are rewarded with his grace and mercy. Everything that happens is not about us. When we sit and allow our past to haunt us, we cloud the possibilities of hearing from God and moving forward in his grace.
Prayer:
Dear Heavenly Father, you are amazing in your mercy. Forgive us for our insecurities, for our human frailties. Guide us Lord to align the desires of our heart with your will for our lives. We want our path to be the one you have chosen for us. We are your children, Lord, and just like children we are sometimes impulsive, pouty, and challenging. Please love us through our growing pains. We will return home, Father, to the love, care, and joy that is you. For these and many other blessing we ask in your son, Jesus’, name, Amen.
Dear Heavenly Father, you are amazing in your mercy. Forgive us for our insecurities, for our human frailties. Guide us Lord to align the desires of our heart with your will for our lives. We want our path to be the one you have chosen for us. We are your children, Lord, and just like children we are sometimes impulsive, pouty, and challenging. Please love us through our growing pains. We will return home, Father, to the love, care, and joy that is you. For these and many other blessing we ask in your son, Jesus’, name, Amen.
by Vernet Clemons Nettles
2016
2016