Most of us care how we look. We try to look our best.
Some of us care how we look to God. We know that he sees beyond our outward appearance. God looks at our hearts. We hope he approves of our thoughts and actions.
Have you ever thought about how you smell to God?
2 Corinthians 2:14 (ESV)
For we are the aroma of Christ to God.
“The aroma of Christ.” Me? You?
Yes.
I just finished an interesting book, “Blind Spots: Why Smart People Do Dumb Things” by Madeleine Van Hecke. Yep, I’ve done my share of dumb things.
I have blind spots, especially when it comes to my unintended trespasses.
Psalm 19:12 (NIV)
But who can discern their own errors?
Forgive my hidden faults.
Lord, give me eyes to see past my blind spots. Let me see what you see.
Remember Christ’s words:
Luke 6:31 (NIV)
Do to others as you would have them do to you.
I want the young man in Monday’s post to make good the damage to my car. And the people I’ve trespassed on want me to make good the damage I did.
Deliberate or accidental, trespassing calls for apology and restoration. Deliberate or accidental, being trespassed upon calls for forgiveness.
God calls us to forgive. On purpose.
The young man who rear-ended my car said, “Accidents happen.” I was hoping for two different words:
“I’m sorry.”
Two simple, powerful words.
The sooner said, the better.
A young man trespassed on my property this week. He pushed his truck over the boundary of my bumper—actually he moved my bumper into my trunk.
He didn’t do it on purpose.
Sometimes I accidentally trespass on someone else’s property, person or feelings. How about you?
Forgive us our unintended trespasses.
I once dreamed that I put a problem in God’s hands. After a bit, I went back and took it into my own hands. I was double-checking to make sure God was handling it right.
God knows, I’ve done that in real life. More than once.
Mark 9:24 (ESV)
“I believe; help my unbelief!”
I believe that God is all-knowing.
So why, when I pray for others, do I include all the details?
I’m not telling God anything he doesn’t already know.
I can’t make God change his mind.
James 1:17 (ERV))
These good gifts come down from the Father who made all the lights in the sky. But God never changes like the shadows from those lights. He is always the same.
He isn’t a God of compromise. I won’t wear him down with my whining,
Not that I can’t argue with God. I do. But in the end, he wins me over with his better logic, infinite wisdom and unending love.
