Breaking limited mindsets

Show me your ways O Lord; teach me your paths

Guide me in your truths and teach me, for you are God my Saviour and my hope is in you all day long. Psalm 25: 4 – 5

One thing I have noticed recently is that when we are learning something new and trying to assimilate some new information, we always try and place it within our existing frame of reference; by which I mean our existing body of information and experiences. This is fine until we find the framework inadequate for the task. For instance I would be unable to place information on the law of thermodynamics within the limited framework of my Primary School science knowledge.

When this happens we can either try to adapt the knowledge till it does fit or discard it as incompatible at this time. Unfortunately this can happen with our knowledge of God and reading the Bible.  We read something that just does not make sense to us or fit in with our present thinking so we either try and adapt the truth or discard it.

I know I have read some bits in the Bible which I really don’t like so I may discard them. Giving out of lack is a good example. My frame of reference says giving out of lack leads to greater lack. However these verses from Psalm 25 show us the better way. When faced with uncomfortable truths we need not let our frame of reference hinder us but rather ask God to expand it to incorporate things we have previously found too hard to include. Alternatively we can hang the truth on the frame for further consideration and meditation. I now know that giving out of lack or plenty leads to greater blessing than we can imagine.

God has so much to share with us and so many wonderful truths to reveal to willing hearts and minds but we must not limit ourselves.  God is so patient but our world needs the wisdom of God revealed through lives that are ready to open their minds and spirits to truths from the throne of heaven.

One area that has challenged me is the area of healing. We know God is our healer yet we walk in so little of that reality. Our hand stretches for the pain relief for headache before we even think to pray. I want to see healing as part of my and the Church’s everyday life not an occasional occurrence. Both Jesus and the disciples walked in amazing healing miracles and so I want that to be part of life – without excuse.

I want to encourage us that if there is an area of Godly truth or revelation that you really want to see God move in, do not let your frame of reference hinder or deter you. Rather ask the Holy Spirit to guide you and show you his ways so that we may see the breakthroughs we long for. God has so much in store for us and the world needs Christians prepared to break out of traditional and limited mindsets and break into fresh truth to bless them.

 

The widow's mite

Luke 21: 1 – 4

I am sure we are all familiar with the account of the widow who put her two mites or small copper coins in the treasury at the temple. Jesus commended her because everyone else was putting in out of their surplus but she was putting in all she had to live on.

The context of this little event is Jesus warning his disciples about the religious leaders and the hypocrisy of their practices, one of which was to make an extravagant show of their giving. Jesus contrasts this with the poor widow who quietly puts in the little she has.

Underlining this story, Jesus is commending the poor widow for her generosity. Those who have little do not give it away unless they have a very generous spirit. They hang on to the little they have. The religious leaders wanted everyone to think what good people they were because they gave large amounts. The widow only had a small amount and yet she gave it. She was not putting on a show for anyone – who would be impressed by the gift of two small coins? She gave out of a desire to bless God. She would know her two small coins would make no difference to the upkeep of the temple or the religious institutions. Her gift was given to God. Only he saw her generosity when no one else did and God would have been blessed by her heart which so reflects his own generous heart.

God wants us to give freely and generously to him and others. We give because he first gave to us. ‘Freely we have received, freely give’ (Matthew 10:8).  We must never give ‘reluctantly or under compulsion for God loves a cheerful giver’ (II Corinthians 9:7). We give out of love for all God has given to us. If you are giving out of duty or a sense that as a ‘good Christian’ you must tithe or you are giving so that God will bless you – stop!  Give because you want to give and be a blessing. The size of your gift does not denote your generosity. The size of your heart does that.