Monday Thoughts: Perspective

This week's Monday thoughts come to you on Tuesday, just to keep you guessing.

In our study of Luke this week we focused on perspective. There were two passages we talked about quite a bit.

"And so you will bear testimony to me. But make up your mind not to worry beforehand how you will defend yourselves. For I will give you words and wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to resist or contradict." Luke 21:13-15

In the context, the disciples will be in positions of persecution because they have been faithful to proclaiming the gospel. When they enter difficult positions because of this Jesus says he will give them the wisdom to say what they need to say. We don't face the same issue of persecution, but we also will be in difficult situations at times if we are faithful to Christ. In those potentially awkward conversations we can rely on Jesus to help us--we don't have to have a detailed plan ahead of time.

"Be careful, or your hears will be weighed down with dissipation, drunkenness and the anxieties of life, and that day (the day of Christ's return) will close on you suddenly like a trap." Luke 21:34

This passage speaks to losing perspective on the bigger picture. When we lose focus on living out our calling as followers of Christ we can be sucked into a couple traps. One is to give our attention to the daily difficulties of life, like bills, health concerns, and finding a babysitter. The other trap is to succumb to these anxieties or the seeming pointlessness of life by finding an escape. Whether this is alcohol, TV, food, or something else--we end up numbing our minds and finding comfort in something other than Christ. We need to live with the perspective that Christ will return. And instead of driving us to escape from the world, this should challenge us to be about the work Christ has laid out for us--redemption, reconciliation, and justice.