Word in 3D

Not sure if anyone remembers those wacky 3D art posters like the one above. On the surface it looks like multi-colored static, but the trick is to focus really hard and after a few minutes you can begin to see a 3D shape. Those posters would drive me nuts, I could never get it right, and therefore it would take me hours just to even see a simple 3D basketball. I don’t know why, but this past week while having a flashback about my experience with these 3D posters I began to see how it reflects our walk with God sometimes. I have often felt like sometimes I am not applying enough focus into God’s word, and then I begin to be frustrated with the results, just like the posters. I would read the Bible sometimes just to read it so I can get my “Ok, I did my reading for the day” points in, and with that approach I continue to feel no impact from God’s living word, it began to be like just reading any other book. Hebrews 4:12 says “For the word of God is Living and powerful, sharper than any two-edge sword” what an amazing description of God’s word but why doesn’t it impact me anymore? The thing about those 3D posters was, on the back of them they gave you a picture of what the shape would look like when you got it right, and as soon as I knew that, it became so much easier to see what was there the whole time, it is the same way with God’s word. You see your need for Jesus Christ is all over the Bible, its in plain site, right in front of you but if you don’t ask God to show you that picture you wont recognize it when it surfaces. Ask God to show you your need for Jesus in what you are about to read, and trust me when asked from the heart you will begin to see the image of his love jump right out in 3D.

So ask God to show you in whatever scripture you are reading to show you how it relates to you looking more like Christ and then just reflect on that throughout the day meditating on it, thinking it over. it begins to nest in your heart and you begin to live it out.

The basics

Faith in what Jesus Christ has done for you on the cross = Justified
Trusting in God = Sanctification

Our bookmark

Whenever I would hear the words “The Gospel” my mind would automatically try to hit the skip button and move on to the next part of the sermon or whatever the person is saying, because “duh!” I already know the Gospel, I already received Christ as my Lord and savoir, so my heart and mind begin to say, “what’s next?”

Almost like picking up a book for the first time and beginning to read the introduction and quickly saying to yourself, “um let me just get to the point” so you start straight on the first chapter skipping over what the author took time to write as an introduction for his work.

But I began to notice something in my spiritual walk with God because of this, I began to get stuck on the hamster wheel, and try really hard to do the Christian to-do list to make sure I am really a Christian. You know the list, Go to church, get some quite time devotionals in, read your bible, pray, serve others, etc. The list goes on and on but my growth and dependence on God doesn’t.

Could it be that I have been treating the good news of what Jesus has done for us as the intro to the book of my life, and not a continual bookmark, to remind me of where I am? The Gospel should do just that, look at Romans 4:8 But God demonstrates His own Love towards us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. It should remind you to stop the to do list and realize there is nothing you can do to merit that kind of Grace and love, so just receive it, put your faith in the work he has done, and allow that remind you to move closer to the cross and reflect that same love that was poured out on us to others.

When I began to understand this, and really see my need for his cross everyday, that is when I begin to have my heart humbled and say “Lord I cant, you can, I need you” that’s what it looks like to be poor in spirit.

Matthew 5:3 blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of Heaven.

I pray for those of you reading this, I pray you will begin to have a new heart for the Gospel. One that will see your need for God’s loving grace and begin to pour that love onto those around you. The Gospel is not just the intro of your story with Christ; it’s the bookmark of every page you turn.