SCRIPTURE
Luke 17:20 NIV - 20 Once, on being asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, Jesus replied, “The coming of the kingdom of God is not something that can be observed, 21 nor will people say, ‘Here it is,’ or ‘There it is,’ because the kingdom of God is within you.”
Luke 18:27 NIV - Jesus replied “What is impossible with men is possible with God”
OBSERVATION
The book of Luke, one of the synoptic gospels, was written primarily for a Greek audience. So one of his primary focuses were to fulfill the paradigm shift for Greek culture from seeking the “perfect man”, to seeking the perfect Him. When it comes to “perfect” they defined it as perfect function, place, imagery. I believe Luke writes Chapter 17, verse 20 on purpose to show that perfection isn’t found in a person, a painting, or a performance, but in all actuality it’s in a Perfect Him. It is then backed up by Luke 18:18 because not only is He within us, but now the limitations of a human being are washed away by His greatness. His ability to make the impossible possible.
APPLICATION
Starting on a Monday morning tends to put us in the mindset that the rise and grind / the hustle and bustle / the shake and bake should be the first thing we think about on a fresh new week. Can I attempt to encourage us today that maybe what we seek or what we presume to be a priority, should not be what we seek to complete but who we unload life’s burdens. Our Father is the one who can take away the weight, the guilt, the obsession for success, not only giving us the bare minimum but doing more than enough for us. Today as I start my day, do I rush to get things done on my To Do list? Or do I go to Him and say “You are not far away or lost, you are within me. Master of my life, I give you control”. Seeking the Father should always be our first response, not our last resort.
PRAYER
Jesus, I know you. You are who you say you are. Never shall I doubt your power to take on my life. Thank you for staying alive in me even in times when I do not want to continue forward. Thank you for making your presence felt even in the mundane or hectic schedules that start bright and early monday morning. I give you my life, I stand firm on your word, and believe that your will be done, not mine, no matter what. Amen