Scenic Overlook #3: FOMO

Scenic overlooks are glimpses of scripture that open my eyes to something new, something not previously considered. I hope you will consider joining me to hear what I've discovered!

Since time began, man had the idea that maybe God was holding something back. Eve is not the only one who had such thoughts.

If you think about it, all sin can be traced back to the real fear of missing out. We know God has said not to do certain things but we feel like the pleasure of the sin will be worth it. Why wouldn't He want us to be happy? To have fun? 

Later, after consequences from our disastrous choices come crashing down upon us, we are anything but happy...

Several thousand years after Eve's debacle, Jesus came to teach us a new way of life.

And as always, the best way of living means thinking differently. After all, insanity is doing the same thing over and over but expecting different results.

In His most famous sermon, Christ taught us to not worry about our daily provisions. He says "Don't worry about what you'll eat, what you'll wear."

And then He said, "Don't be anxious."

This was not news to me, but this time reading the admonition regarding anxiety, I saw the original word, the ancient Greek word meteorizesthe, with the root word meteor, translates to raise in mid-air, that is, (figuratively) suspend (passively fluctuate or be anxious) [Strong's Concordance]. Some translations render the word doubtful, unsettled and worried.

I always study the different translations to see if something brings clarity  I love Eugene H. Peterson's take on this passage:

“What I’m trying to do here is get you to relax, not be so preoccupied with getting so you can respond to God’s giving. People who don’t know God and the way he works fuss over these things, but you know both God and how he works. Steep yourself in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. You’ll find all your everyday human concerns will be met. Don’t be afraid of missing out. You’re my dearest friends! The Father wants to give you the very kingdom itself. Luke 12:30-32 MSG

I feel the whole point of the sermon Jesus gave that day is that if you seek Him first, everything else will fall into place. There is no need to fear missing out - God wants to give you His best!

He's a good, good Father, you know ...

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I'm sharing this post with the community at #TellHisStory.

Scenic Overlook #2 - Raining Kisses

Scenic overlooks are glimpses of scripture that open my eyes to something new, something not previously considered. I hope you will consider joining me to hear what I've discovered!

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Who doesn't love the story of the Prodigal Son?

It's definitely one of the most comforting stories if you are like me and ever wasted your one beautiful life by using your money, relationships, resources, and most importantly, your time unwisely. 

Here's the line in the story that means so much to me:

“And he arose and came to his father. But when he was still a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him. Luke 15:20 (NKJV)

 

Something stood out to me, this time around studying this passage: the part about the father kissing him.  The original grammar for the Greek word used,  kataphileō, means repeatedly kissing.

Without the Prodigal first saying he was at fault, the father ran (middle-eastern fathers in that day did not run!), grabbed his son and rained kisses on him.

This thought was so wondrous to me, I had to look up other translations of this scripture:

And he rose up and went to his own father. But while he was yet a long way off, his father saw him, and was moved with compassion, and ran, and fell upon his neck, and covered him with kisses. Luke 15:20 (DARBY)

 So he got up and came to his [own] father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was moved with pity and tenderness [for him]; and he ran and embraced him and kissed him [fervently]. Luke 15:20 (AMPC)

 

Everyone who has ever sat in on my bible study classes knows I think the word fervently means with a "white-hot passion." This was no lame peck-on-the-cheek!

Think about it, the Prodigal had to be dirty and bedraggled - probably smelling like pigs - but none of that mattered to the father. He was over the moon with excitement to have his son back.

I get a glimpse of the passion and excitement the Father feels every time a Prodigal comes back Home, from reading this one verse of scripture from the famous story.  

Earlier in Luke 15, Jesus tells us this truth:

Likewise, I say to you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” (Luke 15:10 NKJV)

Now, I know not only angels, but God himself, rejoices when a Prodigal comes home!

What's your favorite part about this story?

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I'm linking this post with the community at #TellHisStory.

Scenic Overlook #1

Today, I'm introducing a new feature on the Journey. If our Christian walk is a journey, then it stands to reason along the way, not only will we encounter fantastic views physically, but spiritually, our eyes will be opened to something we have never seen before.

Scenic overlooks will be glimpses of scripture that open my eyes to something new, something not previously considered. I hope you will consider joining me to hear what I've discovered!

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Anytime I see something about walking the Way, or anything relating to a Journey, I take notice. (After all, I'm all about the journey!) I came across Isaiah 35 on a day filled with doubts and fears swirling through my mind. 

I make it a practice to do some scripture writing on my lunch hour. As I gathered my things to go eat lunch in my inner sanctum, otherwise known as the church library, I whispered a prayer.

"God, I really need to hear from you now! Please give me a nugget of wisdom from Your Word."

The scriptures to write out that day were scheduled to be Isaiah 35:3-4 which basically says, "Do not fear ... He will come and save you!" 

"Thank you, Lord! I am so ready for you to come!"

I try to read things in context, so I went to Isaiah 35 and read the whole thing. These verses stuck out to me:

Isaiah 35:8-9 English Standard Version (ESV)
8 And a highway shall be there,and it shall be called the Way of Holiness; the unclean shall not pass over it. It shall belong to those who walk on the way; even if they are fools, they shall not go astray. 9 No lion shall be there,nor shall any ravenous beast come up on it; they shall not be found there, but the redeemed shall walk there.

Isaiah 35 is ultimately about God's restoration after the battle of Armageddon, but the Messiah has made a way for His children to walk from their sin to His holiness in the here and now. Those who follow in His Way will be safe walking there.

Two new things I saw here:

"Even if they are fools, they shall not go astray." Even if I make a dumb decision, I can't get lost! 

"No lion shall be there, nor any ravenous beast" When the enemy tries to scare me into thinking he is a lion out to destroy me, he can't touch me if I'm walking the path of the redeemed.

I think God answered my noon-time prayer.

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I'm linking this post up with the community at Soul Survival.