Consider Breathing (my one word this week - Consider)

"...See, I lay a stone in Zion, a chosen and precious cornerstone, and the one who trusts in him will never be put to shame.” 1 pet 2:6

This week I am faced with some hard decisions. I find myself considering my options. I am spending much time just listening, praying and seeking. I am wondering what real love looks like. I am realizing what I believe and what I do does not always match.

Jesus spent a lot of time alone praying to His Father in heaven. Even though He was the Son of God, he was on earth in a human body and he knew that submission and obedience to His Father's will was not something He could do without fellowship with Him. If Jesus had to pray, then how much more do I?

I remember visiting my relatives on Sundays. I had three cousins and when they got too rambunctious my dad would tell them to sit in a corner and consider their actions, and they would go because nobody dared to disobey Uncle Tony. Upon leaving he would tell them that when he returned, they better be in that corner. Without fail, the next visit would find them there. Of course they didn't sit there all week, but as soon as they knew he was coming they scrambled to the corner. My father thought it humorous. I wonder if they were breathing.

I sense myself face first in the corner. I wish I could say I chose to come here, but I've been driven here by my need for space to breathe. We are so impressionable. Scripture says "Yet you, Lord, are our Father. We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand." Is 64:8. Often we allow others to mold us and one day we look and see our disfigurement from so much handling and influence. I feel like I've been holding my breath for too long.

I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. Rom 8:18

Jesus has had 3 years of teaching, healing, feeding and forgiving, as well as challenging, rebuking and exposing hearts. He has escaped being stoned, suffered persecution, tolerated being mocked, and endured being misunderstood. He is on His way to die for all of it.

One week He was on a colt riding through the streets being praised, and the next week having the same people pardoning a murderer in the decision to crucify Him. We know He sweat drops of blood in the Garden of Gethsemane right before His betrayal and the soldiers came to arrest Him. We read His prayer, ".. My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will." Mt 26:39.

What did he consider in His decision to go through with it? 

 Who He was loving. Me.

      Who He was serving. His Father

          Who He was defeating. Death and Satan

              Who He was Revealing. His Lordship

Do I see the cornerstone while I am in my corner of indecision?

The cornerstone is the first stone set in erecting a building. It determines the position of every other stone. Without it, the whole building is out of alignment. Scripture says, "Unless the Lord builds the house, the builders labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the guards stand watch in vain. Psa127:1

So What questions do I consider?

 Who does God say I am and do I believe it? 

Why am I here? Am I fulfilling my purpose or am I hiding behind my insecurities?

What is the cost and rewards if I obey God? What does that mean, obey God? 

Do I want a real hope? As I consider that question, I must answer truthfully. I must consider love through unfiltered eyes, obey love as Christ gives me strength, then breathe love so as to free others.

The one who took his last breath on the cross is free to reign and be Lord over all. He is asking me to breathe and dare to trust Him no matter what opinions lie in wait.