Scripture: Matthew 11:1-6
After Jesus had finished instructing his twelve disciples, he went on from there to teach and preach in the towns of Galilee.
When John, who was in prison, heard about the deeds of the Messiah, he sent his disciplesto ask him, “Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?”
Jesus replied, “Go back and report to John what you hear and see: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor.Blessed is anyone who does not stumble on account of me.”
Consider:
It’s fascinating to me the way we assign responsibility in our culture. Something good happens to us? That’s because I am awesome and the good thing happening is 100% of my own initiative and skills and gifts.
Bad thing happen? We blame someone else, usually God. Somehow we completely absolve ourselves of any responsibility for this downturn. Or, we feel guilty for not being able to avoid it in the first place and, what’s worse, the first tool we pull out of our bag on when something bad happens to someone else is shame.
Good thing - pride and glory. Bad thing - shame and guilt and blame. It seems like a simple equation.
But what would happen if we flipped that script? If we gave God all the credit for the good in our lives? The Bible certainly seems to tell us of a God who wants nothing but good things for us, a God who created human beings for the purpose of companionship and relationship, one who gave them a garden full of good things to eat and warm enough temperatures to make clothing optional.
The root of evil, on the other hand, is sin, sin which causes the world to be broken and full of hurt, disease, famines, and war. So if you want to blame anyone for the extra long lines at the grocery store, blame Adam and Eve (and the serpent too.)
When we learn to shift our view point on responsibility, it’s helps us to reframe the events of our lives and frees us up from carrying the weight of guilt, shame, and blame because it relocates our experiences from being so me centered towards remembering the role and desires of the God we worship. The one who promises to heal and bring sight and set the captives free.
Respond:
Think over the events of the last day. Maybe major events happened or maybe it was a normal, easy day with nothing major to remember (we write these in advance, so if a major world event has happened you’ll have to talk to future Liz.) Either way, remembering your day, how many times did you thank God for the good things which came your way?
Today, try to find one more way than yesterday to give thanks for the small, and maybe big, things God shows you.
Pray:
Lord, as I look back, I see moments where I forgot to say "Thank You." Whether yesterday was quiet or chaotic, Your hand was there. Open my eyes today. Help me find one more reason to praise You—spotting Your love in both the simple details and the major victories. Amen.
