Good morning! Today is my son Joshua’s least favorite day of the week – Monday! I know many of you, if not all of you are sharing his pain this morning. If you are anything like me, you are looking at the week ahead and seeing nothing except for a never ending list of things that need to be completed, responsibilities to be fulfilled, and not enough time to do the things you really want to do!
It is easy to be defeated sometimes, even before you actually get started. But let’s not let that happen! Many times we need to change our perspective to see the opportunities instead of the obstacles! This is SO HARD to do, it takes a constant reminder of the sovereignty of God in every situation and the purpose for which we were created.
SOVEREIGNTY OF GOD: When I think about the sovereignty of God, I think about how God is all powerful (omnipotent), all knowing (omniscient), and everywhere at all times (omnipresent). It makes me think about stories like the parting of the Red Sea, the walls of Jericho falling down, Jesus walking on water or feeding the multitudes! Things that are seemingly impossible, are made possible because our God is sovereign.
PURPOSE WE WERE CREATED: And when I think about the reason why we were created, I am reminded of how much I am loved by God. Looking back at creation, there was one thing that was created in the image of God – us! God created all of mankind to be special, different from everything else! He created us to have relationship with Him, be a reflection of Him, and to worship Him!
Because of these two things, we can boldly face the week ahead. It doesn’t matter if it is going to be the most trying or the best week of our lives!
- We can know that God is with us
- We can know that all things are possible with God
- We can know that God desires for us to know Him more
In 2 Corinthians 4, Paul reminds them of the frailty that we possess as human beings, but that’s where the beauty of it begins.
But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.”
2 Corinthians 4:7-9
We are likened to jars of clay – fragile and easily broken. I can relate to this in those moments where I am overwhelmed by the pressures of this life, BUT that’s when I run to Jesus to be reminded of who He is and what He created me for. And sometimes it takes a lot of reminding!
When we spend time with God, He changes our perspective of the situations that are overwhelming us. Let me show you what this looks like by giving you an example from the week ahead.
I have a big project at work that I have been working on for months, where execution and results are expected by the end of March. This is something that will have a major impact either way – positive or negative. I feel like I have been stuck at one part and have tried multiple ways to figure out the best way to move forward while some people on the team are doubtful this will turn out well. This Tuesday is the next meeting where I am supposed to provide next steps to keep the project on track.
This has been weighing on my mind for the last couple of days with the pressure increasing as another deadline is drawing near. But one of my daily prayers is for God to give me wisdom beyond my understanding, and this is what I am relying on God for – to provide the answer to my problem.
I am thankful that God’s Word has the answer to every situation in life. Even though I may not be able to search the Bible for the specific way to move forward in this project, I can apply His principles and rely on Him to provide the wisdom I need to move forward.
“Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.”
2 Corinthians 4:16-18
Whatever it is that you are walking through this week, remember that God is sovereign. Remember that God wants to spend time with You. Remember that God wants you to rely on Him to be your everything! Let’s make this the best week ever, fixing our eyes on the eternal!
Heavenly Father, we recognize Your sovereignty this morning and are in complete awe of who You are! Help us to boldly face the week ahead knowing that You love us and understanding that You are at work to use each situation for Your glory! Help us to fix our eyes on You and not on the things that tend to overwhelm us! Help our lives outwardly reflect the renewal that is taking place within!
Be Transformed 