Running the Race

The retreat ended up being really awesome this past weekend.  People heard the Gospel and God’s name was glorified AND we got to have a ton of fun.  I ended up being the first one awake each morning and I really enjoyed that because I got to experience the quiet and the calm with little distraction.  The first morning I woke up and took my bible and journal out onto the dock to spend my morning with God.  After I had read Philippians 3 , I just sat and stared out into the bay and watched the calm water flow and the high grass on the little island across the way sway in the gentle breeze.  I realized that I was living out Psalm 23:2.  Realizing this, I opened up my bible to that psalm and read through it slowly, meditating on each verse to take in their truth and realize how they directly relate to my life in the present.

I got to Psalm 23:5 and I almost exploded with joy and then was overcome by peace.  Here’s the truth: Everyone else can hate you and God will still prepare a table for you,  He will still have the same purpose for you, and you are always called to pursue holiness, righteousness and excellence.  (Titus 2:11-13) Every human has the potential for conjuring warped views of each other, but when God sees us, He sees the blood of Christ.  This is the reason for perseverance- not because you need to please the world but because you need to please God despite what the world may think; in all seasons.

Now, I’m not saying to ignore those close to you who may confront you or call you out on something because it’s biblical to come at each other with love and grace and because we need to be humble in that others will see things that we may not be able to see.  (2 Timothy 4:1-3) What I am saying is NOTHING, not people nor circumstances, can alter your purpose or the way God sees you.

Here’s my challenge: Let’s pray to God that He will let us see each other, the world, His creation with His Holy Eyes.  Let’s pray that we would start to see people for their best and not their worst.  Let’s pray for the ability see ourselves as chosen children of God whom He will prepare a table for even if no one else, not even ourselves, will and believe it with our entire Spirit.