Things I notice about Jesus...

Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, “I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.” (John 8:12 NLT)

Jesus faced constant demands, dangerous opposition and little privacy. Yet He never allowed others to define him.

-         His parents had their own ideas of who they wanted Him to be – I know that because his dad trained him as a carpenter...

-         His disciples had their own idea who they wanted him to be

-         The  Pharisees and Sadducees wanted to define Him according to their agendas

-         The people he encountered, the crowds...palm Sunday had their own view of who Jesus was suppose to be

If we let them then the people around us will shape us into what THEY NEED and that which will fulfil THEIR needs.
But he never allowed others to define Him...Matthew 16:13-17
What does that teach us?

1.     Know who you are (John 8:12) — "When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”" (John 8:12, NIV)

There was no doubt in Jesus’ mind as to who he was. He knew he came from God, and he knew he had a unique mission to fulfil. As believers, we can know we belong to God and that God defines who we are and what we are meant to do on this Earth. Trying to be someone God never intended you to be causes stress! The answer to the question: “Who am I” should be sought and will be found in God.
I notice that as Jesus walked among us He knew who He was and it was based on His heavenly father’s opinion of Him

2.     Know whom you want to please (John 5:30) — "By myself I can do nothing; I judge only as I hear, and my judgment is just, for I seek not to please myself but him who sent me." (John 5:30, NIV)

Jesus never let the fear of rejection manipulate him. No one can pressure you without your permission. You can’t please everyone; even God can’t! Many of us live in this constant struggle to please the people around us – I must be smarter, I must be thinner, I must have more...Find out what it is that God wants form you and put your energy in pleasing and being obedient to your Father in heaven.

3.     Know what goals you need to reach (John 8:14) —"Jesus answered, “Even if I testify on my own behalf, my testimony is valid, for I know where I came from and where I am going. But you have no idea where I come from or where I am going." (John 8:14, NIV)

Jesus said, “I know where I came from and where I am going.” Preparation prevents pressure, but procrastination produces it. You work by either priorities or pressures. How clear are you on God’s plan and purpose for your life – this only happens as I spend time with God and God’s people

4.     Know how to maintain your priorities (Luke 4:42–44) — "At daybreak Jesus went out to a solitary place. The people were looking for him and when they came to where he was, they tried to keep him from leaving them. But he said, “I must preach the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns also, because that is why I was sent.” And he kept on preaching in the synagogues of Judea." (Luke 4:42-44, NIV)

Jesus knew how to handle interruptions without being distracted from his primary goal. He did this by spending time in prayer and retreat with the father.

Open my eyes Lord

I have over the years learnt so much from friends and congregants who have been through some very difficult situations, I have learnt from them what maturity is all about. I think maturity is the ability to recognize the life-giving moments in the midst of pain, suffering and even death. It is knowing that even the smallest amount of light is infinitely more powerful than massive amounts of dark. As I recognize these light and life giving moments they give me the strength to face what is before me. I think this is where we struggle - in our pain we struggle to see those life giving moments of grace, a smile from a stranger, a hug from a friend, a meal dropped off by the neighbours.
I pray that God will help us to SEE Him, to see His hand even when (or especially when) all is dark around me.

Adventure...who has time for it?

I recently had to go and fetch my brother in Katima Mullilo (Namibia - Caprivi region). My first thought was one of dread and that it was the last thing I felt like doing, because I had so much "to do".

But he is my brother after all...

Upon reflection I learnt a great lesson. Matthew and Bethany I hope you learn this about life.

Life (God) has a funny way of presenting us with unplanned and unexpected opportunities for ADVENTURE. Never allow life to stand in the way of adventure, because life without adventure is death.


Now I cannot guarantee  that you will enjoy the adventure or that it will always just be pure joy and bliss but what I can guarantee you is that if you let them pass you by, you will always regret it!

Just as you are!

"On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” ²⁰ After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord.Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you."  John 20: 19-21 (NIV)

I love how God comes and finds us - no matter where we have managed to "lock" ourselves away. I think one of the main reasons we "lock" ourselves away is fear. Fear of...failure (or success for that matter); being discovered; being hurt...Jesus finds us and sets us free. 

He sets us free to be ourselves. One of the biggest lies we come to believe as people, is that God cannot possible want me...as me, or that he possible would want to use me...as me! We all think that we must first change, be different, do different, look different...

But in this story we see Jesus finding a bunch of men who were scared (locked away) and who believed that they were "failures" and that they were not "good enough".

Not only does he come looking for them, but when he finds them notice that he doesn't rebuke them but instead he speak life to them: "Peace be with you". 

And with that he set them free and he tells them that he wants THEM!

Finally notice how he then sends them out into the world.

Remember: Jesus will seek YOU (just as you are...he does wait for you to first change), speak life to you and unlock you from your place of fear, and then send you into the world!

Easter

I have been challenged of late by the Cross of Christ. Easter is such a special season for us as Christian because it reminds us that God is forever calling us. The challenge for me has been this - how have I responded to this call? At first it was an eager "YES", until I realized that it is a call that takes me into the desert and then the cross.

So my enthusiastic "YES" is not all that enthusiastic anymore.

But His love for me compels me to respond with a "YES".

Who not What!

My family spent the week in Cape Town (without me) visiting family. At first I really enjoyed the "freedom" to do what I want when I want! So everyday I got on my shiny new tt (triathlon) bike and loved my time alone cycling away, but towards the end of the week, as much I love my new bike, I was reminded that it matter not what you have in your life but what really counts is who you have in your life. So all the things in my life could not give me nearly the same fulfillment and joy as the people in my life, the people we so often take for granted! It is a good thing to often remind the people in your life that they do mean more to you than all the stuff in your life.

Celebrate You!

I have come to discover that most people are unhappy with who they are or least with some aspect of who they are and we pray prayers that go something like this: "Lord please make me more like...(this or that person)"

Now I am not sure that this is the best way of praying, why? Well, because no one is perfect!

You hang around people long enough and you will quickly discover that every personality (type) has its positives and negatives.

Celebrate how God made you. Rejoice in who you are and rather pray something like this: "Lord make me the best possible version of me"

You might look at Peter (the guy in the Bible)and think what a hot headed fool, so full of himself, never thinking before speaking, he always "reacts" to a situation rather that "respond", not a good leader...etc.

But if I am not mistaken isn't he the guy that Jesus said he will build His church on?

Thank God for creating YOU and that you ARE part of His plan.