Day 53 "Being Encouraged Versus Being Lectured To"

I took a short nap this morning. I know, it sounds a little ridiculous to take a nap shortly after waking up. But I supposedly have a severe case of sleep apnea and no matter how much sleep I get I still wake up tired. Yes, I do use a CPAP machine and do use it from time to time, but for me, it doesn't really work well, and I feel like I am breathing mechanical air. Anyway, back to where I was going with all this. I had a dream while napping. And in my dream, I was having a conversation with a person who had shared with me some information earlier about someone else. Based on that information, I had emailed this other person with some encouragement. However, it seems further in my dream that I misunderstood what the person had told me earlier. "You always seem to be giving a lecture to someone," my acquaintance informed me. "I don't lecture," I defended adamantly, "I just try to offer encouragement." "Yeah, right." he quickly smirked as if I was being delusional. "Look," I said, "if Jesus did everything for me in reconciling my relationship with God, and he defines who I am and nothing or no one can undefine me, then what possible benefit would I derive from lecturing someone else? What possible motive would I have?" "Well, you have a point there," he conceded.

Ever been on the receiving end of what you perceive to be a lecture? Feel like you are being told what to do or not to do and when it should take place? What is being said to you, you seem to drown it out and stop listening whenever you feel that your own autonomy is being threatened? No one is going to tell you what or what not to do! It is easy to do when the old filter system of "self" begins to raise its old ugly head again and you stop trusting that someone else can have your best interest at heart. This is how it can seem when you come to the Bible and read it on your own with a point of view that God is going to tell you how you are to live your life and that if you don't, you will either be punished or His blessings with be withheld from you.

The game changer is when our perspective changes- when we no longer see God as the task master (See Day 5 "In the Boxing Ring with God") but see Him as a loving Father who has our best interest at heart. And one way to see this is to see the life of Jesus laid down freely on the cross to pay the penalty for our sins. Who would you be willing to lay your life down for? Only when you are able to trust that someone has your best interest at heart, will you be willing to listen to what is being said and have a willingness to implement it in your own life. Lecture or encouragement? It depends from which perspective you choose to look.

"For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11

How has following the ways of the world done for you so far? Are you ready for God to show you who you are and what He can do in you and through you? May your eyes and heart be opened to see God for who He really is.

I will be here tomorrow....