Jesus' Light

So once again I'm sitting on my deck enjoying the warmth of the sun and it feels good.
I don't really know how to say this--when our roads seem so bumpy, and when it feels like you can't take anymore, there Jesus is, reminding us that He is right there with us. And not just 'there' as though He stands watching from a distance, only aware of your journey, of your heart, but there with His love and power to make a difference.
Living the life of a Christ follower always involves being watchful of the Enemy. As challenging as that may be, there is some comfort in knowing that he is outside, that there is some distance there. It seems a whole different story when your greatest enemy is yourself-pretty hard to get away from that one!
And yet Jesus is still there telling us that He is quite fond of us.
I had a conversation with a friend today and the subject of hypocrisy came up. We thought it hard to live out Jesus, to show love toward others when we are feeling anything but love in our hearts. To us it seemed hypocritical. But then the thought struck me: how does this look from Jesus' perspective?
His view of us is that we are His children--He calls us Princes and Princesses! To Him, since He sees us this way, if we are called to show His love to others and we don't, then that is being more like a hypocrite, because He really sees us as people who are made to shine His light to others.
If you think about it, isn't it incredible that He views us in this way?
Yes He is thoughtful of helping our hearts to grow and be healthy, but the fact is that He sees it most fitting that we would live like the Kids He has made us to be--the way He already sees us.
There is a lot freedom in that.
So today, try and see yourself from His perspective--someone fit to shine the kind of love that changes worlds!
The sun is beautiful here on my deck, but this doesn't even compare to the Son whose light warms my heart.
BT
Brian M Tysdal
Lead Pastor
Rock of Ages Church
Saskatoon Sask.
374-1707 (Church)
291-3308 (Cel)
pastorl.therock@sasktel.net