LONGING FOR GOD’S PERSPECTIVE, DAY TWO

WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR?
Thursday, March 20th

I am learning that others are choosing (as I have) to reduce or withdraw from social media and news stories, to step away from the worrisome information in order to regain some peace. Yet, even as I need this respite for my soul and mind, I do want to remain aware–so that I may pray and act accordingly. How do I keep informed, yet keep a less panicked, more peaceful perspective for each day?

Jesus, of course, is our mentor and teacher for the living of these days. He faced incredible trials and endured the worst death, and yet he remained courageous, steadfast, truthful, and unwavering in integrity. How did Jesus faithfully keep his life (his spirit, his insight, his efforts) centered in God? Here are a few examples…

Now during those days he went out to the mountain to pray, and he spent the night in prayer to God.
(Luke 6:12)

~ Right before this verse, we learn that the scribes and Pharisees were filled with fury and began discussing with one another what they might do to Jesus (verse 11). As the threats and fears increased, Jesus chose to spend time alone in prayer with God, his source of Infinite Love.

Then he ordered the crowds to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven and blessed and broke the loaves and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds. And all ate and were filled, and they took up what was left over of the broken pieces, twelve baskets full. And those who ate were about five thousand men, besides women and children. (Matthew 14:19-21)

~ As the crowds and hunger increased, Jesus looked to God as his source of Infinite Abundance before blessing the loaves and fish to feed them all.

Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own, but the Father who dwells in me does his works. Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me, but if you do not, then believe because of the works themselves. Very truly, I tell you, the one who believes in me will also do the works that I do and, in fact, will do greater works than these, because I am going to the Father. (John 14:10-12)

~ As his time on earth was coming to an end, Jesus taught, prayed, and assured his disciples of his source of Infinite Life, God’s presence with him, and–through him–God’s presence in all of them, so that they could continue as his faithful apostles in the days ahead.

Jesus prayed with, looked to, and remained in God throughout his challenging lifetime. When we face the trials and troubles of each day, perhaps we can hold his perspective of being embraced by God’s Infinite Love, Abundance, and Life. Sheltered in our source of strength, courage, comfort, and trust, we can regard the issues and possible courses of action together. We can face each problem with less fear and less self-protection, secure in the perspective that Jesus held–that whatever this day brings, we will not be left alone.

(Photo by Jim–thank you, Honey.)
Bible verses are NRSVUE translation.