04/17/2019
When you awoke this morning was your first thought to thank God for this day, followed swiftly by a look through the eyes of Jesus Christ? Does your day begin with a stretch, a cup of coffee, and reading the newspaper, as you determine the status of your physical life, or does it begin with a quick prayer, and a renewed following of Jesus? Every day should begin in thanksgiving, and with an invigorated spiritual accounting of our faithfulness.
“So these came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and asked him, "Sir, we wish to see Jesus."
If anyone serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there will my servant be also. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him.”
John 12:21, 26 ESV
There was a time in my life when people would ask me if I was a Christian, and I would say yes, but in those days I opened my eyes in the morning and started my day by making certain my worldly possessions and loves were in order. I would check to see if my wife was lying in bed beside me, if my children were accounted for, was my house secure and in order, was the coffee being made, the newspaper on the lawn, and the long list went on... then at some point in my day I might say a quick prayer. These are important parts of our life, but when you have put God, and Jesus in the appropriate place, and your life and household are ruled by them, then your day, from its first thought to it’s last, is conducted differently.
“But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. "Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.”
Matthew 6:33-34 ESV
You see, in that old life, I wasn’t trusting in the Lord to keep my life in order, and my family safe... I was taking the primary responsibility for all of that, and if I needed some help THEN I MIGHT call on God, and the name of Jesus for assistance. I believed in them, but they were not first in my life... I was on the throne, and they lived off somewhere in a neighboring kingdom. If I needed something I had to go looking for them, and ask for it. I had not come to the realization that where I was... so were they.
“In that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you.”
John 14:20 ESV
So now, each morning I open my eyes and Jesus looks through them with me, and the Lord my God as well, as He says “This is the day that I have made, rejoice and be glad in it.” Then I say “Thank you Lord for this day!”, and I pray in the name of Jesus for God’s Will, and plan for me today... then I ask Jesus to walk with me through my house as we check those things I have been given, and entrusted with.
“This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.”
Psalms 118:24 ESV
Living in this way is a simple thing. Before we can be of any good to our families, we must first bring our own lives into order. When we fly on an airplane the flight attendant goes through a series of instructions before the plane takes off, and one that always makes me think of my faith is the instruction regarding the oxygen masks. It begins this way...
“Should the cabin experience sudden pressure loss, oxygen masks will drop down from above your seat. Place the mask over your mouth and nose.”
But the most important part for those who have with families comes with the next breath...
“If you are traveling with young children, place your mask on first, and then assist your children.”
As a father my first inclination is to help my children, but if I pass out from the lack of oxygen, then I am of no use to them, and we might all perish. This is our faith... when we are without the appropriate relationship with God, and Jesus, then what use are we to our families, and others? If we haven’t placed the mask of faith and righteousness over our noses and mouth each morning... then what good are we to those in our household? When we rise, and face our day, the first thing we should do is secure ourselves in our faith by thanking God and praying in the name of Jesus. In this way our Father sits on the throne, Jesus intercedes for us, and we are righteous, and ready to help our family through their day.
So let me ask you... “Are you a Christian?” Before you answer think of your morning routine, and ask yourself who sits on the throne of your life. Ask yourself what occurs when you first open your eyes and look out on the day... is it just you taking in the view, or do you share your eyes, and the view, with God, and Jesus as well? Think about where you feel God is... is He there inside you, or far away in a His Kingdom... how about Jesus? Perhaps we too need to say “Sir, we wish to see Jesus.”
Prayer:
Father thank you for this day, your will, and your plan for me in it. Thank you for these eyes that I share with you and Jesus Christ, and the beauty and wonder we see through them. Thank you for keeping me safe through the night, and guarding my spouse, and children, as they slept also. I thank you for your many blessings, and all that you have provided me... use me, and all I have to achieve your will, and to bring you glory this day. Teach me Father what it means to trust in you, and to place my fears and cares in your hands. Never let me usurp your throne, or take the reins of my day without you saying... “go this way”, or “do this thing.” Hear my prayers each day, and with each breath I take in Christ, as we breathe in and out together. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you my God who walks with me, and allows me to see my world through the eyes you provide me. Praised be your name forever, and in my life I pray you are glorified, now and forevermore. Good morning Father!
Rich Forbes