“What a God we have! And how fortunate we are to have him, this Father of our Master Jesus! Because Jesus was raised from the dead, we’ve been given a brand-new life and have everything to live for…”
1 Peter 1:3 MSG
Sometimes when I study the scriptures and share insights in a newsletter article, I ask myself, “Is this possible?”
Jesus’ way is “different” from what we would call the real world. We often say, “In the real world, things don’t happen that way,” when we want to justify something we’ve always believed in.
But when you realize that the real world you see was created by the devil when he took authority in Eden, you’re then challenged to ask, “If this real world is manipulated, then what was the original design?”
That’s the world Jesus came to live out, preach about, and die for so that we could experience it.
So, the upside-down approach to life that Jesus talks about and sent the Holy Spirit to empower us for, is the original way of life. That’s our real world and it’s the picture we should have in our minds.
The hope we have is that every time we yield to the leading of God’s spirit to practice Jesus’ way of life, we transform this manipulated world one pixel at a time and enjoy the benefits of the new life that we have received.
So, is it possible? The answer is yes.
How does Jesus’ upside-down approach to life help us with our work?
In case you haven’t noticed, Jesus lived a short life on earth. Based on our standards, we could even say He died young and “in His prime”.
But those short years were fulfilled years where He focused on doing His work and completing His assignment.
So, while some of us are only just discovering our life’s work at 40, Jesus not only discovered it early but also completed it early. Can you boast of that type of laser focus and swift execution?
Something worked for him, and that was his unique lifestyle.
- He always had the direction and guidance he needed through prayer.
- He used the power within him to do excellent work that was unrivalled.
- His work announced him so much that 2000 years later, his influence still grows.
If starting each day with small talk with God gave him insight and foresight, then we should try it too.
If showing love to others built his goodwill and influence in the hearts of people, then let’s do the same.
If being bold about his message made him immortal, then let’s do something that people will remember us for, long after we’re gone.
We waste time and make mistakes because we’re yet to fully embrace the new life we have received. Perhaps if we did it the way Jesus did, we might just be done with our work in three years too. Who knows.
The person who I want to grow into and become in my life is the kind of person who…
We are all a work in progress and can’t achieve the life of Jesus in one day.
If you were to visualize your life 40 years from now, what kind of person would you like to be? Write it down and reflect on it.
Leave a Reply