"Beware of seeing yourself through other people's eyes...It is much more real to see yourself through My eyes...untainted by sin...eternally loved.
Respond to My loving Presence by worshiping Me in spirit and in truth."
John 4:23 (299)
Have you ever noticed how hard it is to be yourself or to experience genuine worship if you're more focused on other people? I've discovered, during a worship service, it is best for me to sit in a place where I am less distracted by my surroundings. So, if I can, I usually sit closer to the front.
That is spiritually true for me too...the more focused I am on the opinions and ways of others...the more distracted and miserable I become! This world offers thousands of distractions that lure us away from our main focus...Jesus!
To worship in Spirit and in Truth basically means I am setting my gaze on Jesus and embracing His Truth as my standard for living. God's Truth is "untainted by sin" and far more reliable than the passing opinions and flawed musings of those who do not really love me, or do not have my best interest in mind.
But what a difference, when we are in the glaze of one who really loves us and sees the best; believes the best and encourages the best in us! I am grateful for an earthly father and a Heavenly Father who have done that for me. Thanks, Dad!
Seeing ourselves through our Heavenly Father's Eyes, reminds me of the song by Amy Grant, "Father's Eyes."
Copy & Paste:
http://www.lyricsmode.com/lyrics/a/amy_grant/fathers_eyes.html
Enjoy and Rest in Your Father's Eyes...dmc
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Last Sunday in Sunday School class we studied the fourth chapter of Romans where Paul talked about how God accepted Abraham because of his faith. When I read Hebrews 11:6, I couldn’t resist reading the whole chapter in the Contemporary English Version. Somehow it gave me a deeper understanding of this scriptural “Hall of Fame”. Relating all this to today’s devotional “what if” Abraham had been concerned with pleasing his family or “what if” Noah had been concerned with pleasing his neighbors and “what if” Moses… etc.
ReplyDeleteThe sentence that caught my attention in today’s devotional was “The major problem with letting others define you is that it borders on idolatry. Your concern to please others dampens your desire to please me, your Creator.” Yes, the world offers many distractions to lure us away from focusing on our heavenly Father. I am so thankful that I can rest in his loving gaze and receive deep peace. Thank you, Jesus!
Oh, Amelia...thanks for your thoughts! I could sense your personal deep peace in your comment.
ReplyDeleteYou have blessed me...along with many others!