Stop asking what you can’t do. Start asking how you can thrive.
Kids seem focused on the rules and even more focused on how far they can go. We don’t have to look much farther than a toddler to understand our inherent leaning towards breaking the rules. Even once they’ve been told no they seem to want to see how strong that no will remain. The problem is sometimes we don’t grow out of this desire. We still want to push the limits. While sometimes the limits need to be pushed, there are other times where we need to ask a different question. Sometimes we are so focused on the limits that we miss the sweet spot where we can really thrive. So the question is not as much about what is off limits to us but the question instead is where do I thrive. Let’s keep asking questions. Questions that are less focused on pushing the outside limits and more focused on expanding our internal limits.
“Stop judging based on the superficial. First you must embrace the standards of mercy and truth.”
John 7:24, Passion Translation
Sometimes we like the Pharisees miss the point. Here in John the religious rulers are focused on the rules and what the law says, but they miss the bigger picture. The laws are to help us follow after truth and mercy and not the other way around. It is first about seeing Jesus and following Him. Those rules and limits were put into place to help us along that path and to show us our need for Jesus. So then we like the rulers need to change the questions we are asking. The bigger question is not whether it’s right or wrong but does it help me follow Jesus. Throughout history our tendency is to look to a list rather than to the Creator. Glance first to your Creator when you ask your questions. Stay there a while that He might show you what questions He wants you to ask. Listen to His whispers to your questions. Let Him lead you to that place not only free from sin but free to run free.
Check out what Jon Piper has to say about the question, ‘Does it help me run?’:
No comments:
Post a Comment