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Help Wanted?

Anyone who has ever gotten a new pair of glasses knows the struggle of adjustment. Climbing stairs, stepping off a curb, and even reaching for something creates a need for added attention and care. The optometrist warns us against switching between our old and new glasses. Why? It creates added struggle and delays our ability to see with clarity through our new lenses.

Jesus-followers encounter the same type of struggle. Our old selves see everything through the lens of our own understanding. Holy Spirit helps us see everything through the lens of God’s word.

Yep! Reading God’s word causes us to see people and circumstances from God’s perspective, and our old understanding is challenged. It’s kind-of like putting on a new pair of prescription glasses. Every new perspective revealed in God’s word, challenges our perspective.

I’m sorry to say, but just like those times when I’m tempted to wear my old glasses, I’m also tempted to refuse God’s perspective. I’ve even tried to justify my old perspective as being “okay” or “not a big deal.” But...

I’m learning the only way to look through the new lens of God’s perspective and not hurt myself or others is to agree God is right (which means I’m not). It’s not enough to know what God says is right. I (we) have to choose to let go of the way we’ve always done something and begin to choose another way. That’s right! Agreeing with God is like choosing to wear my new glasses and accept the struggle of adjustment.

But…

That’s also how and when the miracle of transformation begins. It’s me (and you) coming alongside Holy Spirit and letting Him help the mind of our spirit replace the mind of our flesh. This careful and intentional work of adjustment slowly becomes easier and our perspective is progressively changed until we no longer struggle.

Please don’t misunderstand me! I still fight the frustration of adjustment, but my ability to accept and cooperate with Holy Spirit’s help is improving. Which brings me to one of my favorite verses.

If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit. Galatians 5:25 (CSB)

Putting this verse into practice is sort-of like running in a three-legged race. It requires every move we make to be intentional. Once we get the rhythm of keeping in step, we never want to be out of step again. Really!

Side-by-side is the safest way to walk when we’re continually getting new lenses in our spiritual glasses. Following Jesus is so much easier when we keep in step with His Spirit. We’re called to follow Jesus which means He’s up front leading the way. That’s why He gave us His Spirit.

Question is…

Are we willing to accept His help or will we resist?

LORD, we want to follow You well, but we don’t always want to see things from Your perspective. Thank You for giving us Holy Spirit as our Helper. Make us aware of His presence and willing to ask for His help. Teach us how to keep in step with Your Spirit and quickly recognize when we are not. Thank You for hearing us when we pray. Amen.

Links to a song and the story behind the song:

Crowder - I Am (Lyric Video) - Bing video

Story Behind The Song With David Crowder: "I Am" | Freeccm.com

Scripture quotations marked CSB are been taken from the Christian Standard Bible®, Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Christian Standard Bible•, and CSB® are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers. 

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