Dancing in the Light

I John 1:7 "If we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ, His Son, cleanses us from all sin."

Name:
Location: North Platte, Nebraska, United States

I am a christian wife, mother and grandmother. I am a licensed Social worker and a licensed Christian counselor. I am most proud of the relationships I have with God, my family and friends all over the world. I have been blessed beyond my dreams.

Tuesday, September 04, 2007

Amazing Jesus

There isn't a day that passes when I don't think about what an incredible Savior we have. I read the Gospel accounts of His life and I find myself thrilled by His power, amazed by His righteousness and overwhelmed by His sacrifice. What an amazing Lord we serve! There are thousands of posts out in blogland that very eloquently detail this amazing Savior.
A few weeks ago during our public reading of scripture, the first few verses in Mark chapter six were read. You know the passage, Jesus is in His hometown. He has been teaching in the synagogue and the people, although awed by His words, begin to question His authority. "Where did he get this stuff?" "Isn't he that one who works with wood?" "Don't his brothers and sisters still live here?" "He is that hometown boy, isn't he?" At this point, it is obvious they are not ready to accept the deity of Jesus and He tells the disciples that "Only in his hometown, among his relatives and in his own house is a prophet without honor." The text then says, "He could not do any miracles there except lay his hands on a few sick people and heal them. And he was amazed at their lack of faith."
Isn't that powerful? He was amazed by their lack of faith. The same lack of faith that amazed God Incarnate, allowed for few miracles and healings. Think about that for awhile! Obviously they knew Jesus. They'd known Him His whole life. They also could see that He was wise and able to do miracles. He could heal the sick and make the blind see, and yet Jesus calls their faith lacking. The nature of their questions suggests that while they accept His humanity, they are struggling with His deity. Is their faith so immature that they cannot see that this Man of Miracles is from God, is of God, is indeed God?
Sometimes it seems our society is a "prove it to me" society! We are very intelligent and accomplished. We have great faith in all things physical. I mean, we get in an airplane don't we? We accept the laws of physics and of gravity. We understand and believe in the rules of mathematics. But, like those in Nazareth, we sometimes struggle with accepting what we do not understand. Those things spiritual oftentimes seem illogical and difficult to grasp. For many it is difficult to admit we do not understand such things, and so we have become the masters of looking for theological loopholes, as if Jesus needed us to prove His spirituality or His deity. Because we cannot comprehend a sacrificial love, we convince ourselves that our salvation is a matter of checks and balances and we become a people pharasaical in nature, attempting to work our way into heaven. Because christian humility is difficult to understand, we put on a mask of false humility right over the top of our self-righteousness. Because we struggle with focusing on eternal life, we work and work to accumulate treasures here on earth. Because we don't fully understand His deity, we spend time and money on our own immortality. We are masters of rationalizing the spiritual---just like the inhabitants of ancient Nazareth.
Doesn't it make you wonder if we ever amaze Jesus with our lack of faith? Do you wonder if that same lack of faith prohibits His working in our lives? If we just accepted His deity, accepted His sacrifice, and accepted His mercy, would our faith grow? And would He look at us and see a heart and soul, ripe and ready for miracles, ready for His workings in our lives? Or would He just be amazed?

Peace
Neva

21 Comments:

Anonymous Anonymous said...

Wow Neva! That is not where I thought you were going from the title. This is a great post, one of your best. You make me think, sister.

Pat

10:25 PM  
Blogger Dawn said...

I am sure He is amazed, and sad. Beautiful post.

Thanks for stopping by my Wordless Wednesday. Have we met before? I love having new cyber friends - I note that you are a social worker - I work with MSW students every day, and am always happyt o find a Christian one!

11:02 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

What a thought provoking post, just beautiful, Neva.

I love the way you make me think,

Rachel

9:53 AM  
Blogger Monalea said...

Neva,
You have stirred my thoughts, something rare because lately my mind feels stale.

Thank you.

Monalea

9:57 AM  
Blogger Monalea said...

I'm back one more time..... Sometimes when I am struggling I, like the man in the NT will ask, "Help me overcome my lack of faith."

Monalea

10:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Neva,
I love this post. I believe we all struggle with lack of faith at times, perhaps because we give in to the demands this momentary life in the world makes on our time, energy and mind. This is a great reminder to keep our focus on real, eternal life, rather than on this short, fleeting experience. It is a reminder to simply trust and obey the words of God.
Thanks, my dear.
Mom

10:47 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I really enjoyed your thoughts, Neva! There are a lot of people hurting and struggling around us. Not only do we need to have faith, but we need to encourage and help strengthen the faith of those around us! Thanks for an encouraging and thought provoking post!

Debbie W.

1:07 PM  
Blogger TREY MORGAN said...

Neva,

There have been plenty of times when I've wondered about my lack of faith. I just keep remembering that even when Jesus questioned the Apostles faith, he didn't kick them out of the kingdom.

I'm glad for that.

2:10 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Ouch!
I am sure I have amazed Him with my lacking faith. I am grateful He loves me anyway and gently guides me and nurtures my faith. Great post


Georgia

6:37 PM  
Blogger Karuna said...

Wow, this has been in my heart...now that I spend a lot of time thinking...and yes not only does it amaze our Lord, but sometimes I wonder if He thinks "What more do you expect me to do in order to convince you I love you"....

In the meanwhile-me and the babies are doing well. Doc says I could have them next week if we hold on until then. Thank you so much for ur prayers...
love
Godzheart

7:15 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I love it! We all need to be reminded that we need to grow our faith on a daily basis!

Great thoughts

Carol

9:09 PM  
Blogger Keith Davis said...

One thing is for sure that as long as there are people, there will be a lack of faith. Not seeing in a society that says, "Prove it to me" is tough.

11:43 PM  
Blogger ThreeGirlyGirls said...

yes MIRACLES......it's what I'm holding on for!!

1:13 PM  
Blogger preacherman said...

Neva,
Great post sister.
Wow. There was a period in my life that I really doubted my faith and even quit ministry. God showed me that you can run from Him. Just like Jonah he will find you. I am glad that God found me and yes I have learned the heard way and through the illness in ICU my faith was tested my times. Again, great poist sister. I hope you have a blessed weekend. May God shower His blessing on you this week.

10:00 PM  
Blogger XclusivelyHisOwn said...

*BUMP* Good post. It made me think alot about my own actions.

5:32 PM  
Blogger Lori said...

How true your words are concerning our awesome Lord and Savior. Keep up the great post! I missed reading your blog this summer.

6:10 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

It's sad that so many of us seem to have to have Christ's diety proven and we take umbrage if science says how something works. How it works is irrelevant to my faith, knowledge of how anything works including the cells of our body may be interesting but my soul/spirit which is unseen by human eye is the essence of me that my God made that will return one day to be in His holy presence. Faith is the path that gets me home to God and faith can not be put down on paper to be seen in a tangible way. He knows our faith and that is all that matters. I pray for my faith to grow in love for Christ and that the Holy Spirit will help me to do this!

If my faith is strong I will do what Christ told me to do and keep myself focused on His words which builds my faith daily.

bless you Neva
madalyn

9:01 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Howdy!
James said things were looking up in your world - I'll keep praying.

Kathy

5:46 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Neva,

Missing you. Hope everything is all right.

Keith

12:50 PM  
Blogger Liz Moore said...

What great thoughts! I've missed dropping by. I hope to remedy that! :) You know I often wonder if Jesus were walking on this earth would we believe and trust in Him more. Scriptures tells us probably not. If He is amazed by the lack of faith in those who are right there with Him, it's scary to think about how amazed He might be at those of us who have never actually seen Him.

6:00 PM  
Anonymous Smith said...

Wow Neva! That is not where I thought you were going from the title. This is a great post, one of your best. You make me think, sister. Pat

3:04 AM  

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