S -
Matthew 11:25-30 (NAS): "At that time Jesus said, “I praise You, Father,
Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and
intelligent and have revealed them to infants.” Yes, Father, for this way was
well-pleasing in Your sight. "All things have been handed over to Me by My
Father; and no one knows the Son except the Father; nor does anyone know the
Father except the Son, and anyone to whom the Son wills to reveal Him. "Come
to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. "Take My yoke upon you and learn from
Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and YOU WILL FIND REST FOR YOUR SOULS.
"For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.""
O - Advertising
is really all about the concept not the person … the illusion of personal
interest, concern, assistance is communicated in concept and the hope is that
the individual can be "sold" as a result. I mean, does Anheuser-Busch really think
about me when producing Budweiser? Is my
name whispered down the assembly line at some point in the production run of
300 million barrels per year? Jesus
is a person not a concept. The concept
of Jesus has no power or authority. It
will not bring rest to a soul or lift the load one is carrying. Jesus the person will do all of this and
more. Like advertising, religion,
philosophy, pop-culture and literature all engage the concept … heaven is
inviting all of earth to embrace the person who is whispering our names and
thinking of us day by day. Children don't respond to concepts they respond to
people. They don't angle they ask. They say what they want or think not what
they think they should say according to culture's current axiom. The person
Jesus is offering us all the person to person exchange which transforms. He is not offering a concept but himself; he
is not inviting us to a new and improved version of self-help … he is offering
help, hope, friendship and life which is vibrant, irrepressible and refreshing.
A - The
prayer and invitation of Jesus above are all about person to person
realities. Today, he doesn't want me to
navigate the hours and circumstances it holds by the thought of a concept but
in the reality of a person, his presence and ongoing relationship. He's not calling me to a concept, a
worldview, a principle, promise or task … He's calling me to himself and today
I will turn to him, follow and stay near. Forget advertising … Jesus is for
us/me and with us and I'm with him.
P - Lord
who really is near,
Today I choose to be little
so I won't miss you and your awesome presence.
Today I choose to refuse conceptual existence and embrace the reality
which is dependent upon you in every way … except my willingness to agree with
you. The truth is I am little and weak
on by best day and on by best day I see through a dark glass dimly. I am forever grateful that you are asking for
me just as I am and offering yourself to me as you really are … unto light loads,
well-fitted connections and the rest and refreshing of the life that is really
life.
Saying yes to your person,
Steve
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