Christian Counseling Service -- Devotions

I think, therefore I limit myself

Saturday, April 16, 2011

John 11:54-56
So Jesus no longer walked about in public, but he left for Ephraim near the desert. Passover was near, and many from the country went to Jerusalem before Passover to purify themselves. They looked for Jesus.

"They said to one another, "What do you think?"

When I ask myself or someone else what I think about Jesus, the answers I get are different from what I "hear" when I ask Jesus in my prayers, when I ask the Holy Spirit while I walk around and look at the tulips, when I ask God the Father on my knees in the morning. What do you think, Lord? What do you think about Jesus, friend? Or wife or mom or daughter? What do you think about Jesus - Chris, Marc, Jack?

Others ask me, "What do you think, Dave? About Jesus."

Well, that depends on my perspective, right? As I try to answer the question I realize I'm explaining my own point of view much more than I am saying anything absolute about Jesus. To some extent I think I limit my experience of Jesus by describing very much of it. And of course I think that's true for everyone else, too. We can only be looking in one direction at a time. We can't see what is behind us, but we need to know there's something there. It might be like that when I am looking toward God, too.

That's why it seems fruitful and right to ask God what he thinks, and then listen. Have a two-way conversation. I discover more that way than by talking a lot and listening a very very little.

For the listener, this kind of conversation is characterized by communicating warmth, empathy and respect. I want the person talking to know I honor and love her. I want to encourage her with my interest in who she is. Sure, I want to know what she has to say, but mostly I want to know Who She Is.

So it comes as no surprise. That's how I want to relate to God - honoring, respecting, loving Him. It's easier when I know how much and always and in every circumstance He Loves Me. But I don't know that from others' experience, only from my own. In relationship. Call it a test or a temptation or a trial ... in moments of suffering I can either talk with God or not. And that's when I find out in person whether God is for me or against me.

It's tempting to ask the Bible to speak for God, but I misinterpret the Bible. If I don't, someone else always seems to be willing to step up and misinterpret it for me. I see God and his Word too much in black-and-white and forget the deep loving context in which everything has been written. As I read, I continually want to ask the Holy Spirit to speak clearly within me.

What do you think, Holy Spirit?

And let the words roll like thunder across my soul, Lord. Let the gentle rains of mercy fall.

Devotions Archive

I think, therefore I limit myself

Saturday, April 16, 2011