The Snowball Effect
As a Christian, making the right moves and going in the right direction can be a struggle as we strive to follow the path and perfect examples Jesus led for us. However, making the right moves often has snowball effect on future events in our lives. This, too, is evident in many places in the Bible. One place in particular begins with John the Baptist. John spent his entire life proclaiming the coming of the Savior and gets the ball rolling, so to speak, for Jesus perfect life and innocent death. Just as John dedicated his life to growing the snowball of Christians in this world, so may we too spend our time and efforts.
Spiritual versus Physical
Jesus is the ultimate example in terms of being in the right place at the right time and having the right words to say. Just think about all of the times in scripture when He went to places we’d never even think of going and spending time with people we’d probably never think to spend time. But when you put yourself in Jesus shoes and adopt the very mission Jesus came to this earth to complete, no place is beyond your jurisdiction and no person is out of your reach.
Today’s devotion also gives a very vivid picture of the seed-faith analogy. It says, “A seed is a dead thing as long as you can see it, but the miracle takes place when it is put into the earth and covered with soil.” To man, Jesus’ death was the fulfillment of a criminal conviction. To the soul, Jesus’ is “beyond the cross, the planting of the seed, death springing to life, the reaping of the benefits, the glory, and the crown.”
Deals and Paradoxes
Often times we are motivated by earthly things and individual motives. It was no different for the individuals in the Bible. Judas betrayed Jesus because of his longing for financial gains. Jonah refused God’s commands because they didn’t line up with what he wanted to do. But we can’t follow God on our own terms. In order for the moves we make to be spiritually fruitful, they must meet God’s approval. It’s not easy being a Christian, Jesus warned us of that through his messages to the disciples. Often times, today’s society misleads us from what’s really important in God’s eyes. I challenge you to take a step back and look at the priorities we have set for ourselves and ask ourselves how we can better set these priorities to glorify Him rather than ourselves. For me, this looked a little bit like this: Stop worrying about raises and promotions at work in order to have all the “wants” in my life. Rather work hard and be thankful for the career I’ve been given because He’s providing the “needs” in my life.
