While
attending Bible School 28 years ago, I was introduced to a song that was taken
from Psalm 61:2, “From the end of the earth I will cry to You, when my heart is
overwhelmed; lead me to the rock that is higher than I.” It’s amazing how all
these years later I still remember that song, and it seems to come back to me
at just the right time – when my heart is overwhelmed!
I love
big rocks. I love climbing on rocks, sitting on rocks, standing on rocks,
touching rocks. They are such a picture of strength, of immobility, of
character and definition. Jesus was referred to as the Rock for all the above
reasons and more. What made Him so unshakeable? I believe it was His deep
connection with the Father and His unswerving confidence in His Word to Him.
Jesus made it His utmost desire to ask what was on the Father’s heart, listen
to the Father’s voice, and obey Him no matter what. He was determined to see
from God’s perspective. The life Jesus lived here on earth is the life He
desires to live through those who are in relationship with Him. It doesn’t take
us long to discover, when reading through the gospels, that Jesus led a very
disciplined life. He was dependent on the Father’s instructions and direction
just as we should be. He was desirous of obeying and pleasing the Father just
as we should be. He made what mattered to God, matter to Him just as we should
be.
Nearly
10 years ago I received a John Maxwell Leadership Bible from a friend. John
highlights certain passages adding his insights. Just today I read, “Spiritual
growth doesn’t ‘just happen,’ any more than climbing a mountain ‘just happens.’
You don’t wander up a mountain and surprise yourself when you reach the top.
Growth results from hard work.” This is so in line with what I shared in Parts
1 and 2. I have learned, and am endeavouring to demonstrate and challenge those
I’m journeying with, that our relationship with Jesus can only grow and mature
as we spend time in His Word and apply it to our lives. It’s allowing ourselves
to be accountable to those we trust to ask us the hard questions: Are you in
the Word? What has God been speaking to you lately? How are you applying it to
your life today? Has God been saying something to you in which you are not
fully obeying Him? And the one I frequently ask my spiritual children, “Did you
ask God about that?” It could be concerning moving home, country, a
relationship, a job, etc. And then, “Did you take the time to listen to His
answer, and are you committed to fully obeying what He said?”
I know
for myself I get overwhelmed because I’m not seeing something from His
perspective. I’m not seeing from His perspective because I’m not in His Word,
and therefore, I’m not allowing the Rock to stabilize me and re-direct me. I
believe this is the same for all of us. We can only experience the reality of
God when we’ve disciplined ourselves enough to take the time to be in His Word
and allow it to divide soul and spirit and judge the thoughts and attitudes of
our hearts. Truly, are we seeing our lives from God’s perspective?
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