Maneuvers - No. 69
Your Perspective
of Me
So much in life is about perspective, friend.
From a physical standpoint, visual perspective means that the further away you are from an object, the smaller it appears. And the closer you are, the bigger it looks.
For example, from a mile away, a skyscraper may look no bigger than a pebble. But once you’re standing in front of it, you can see how huge it really is.
Seems obvious, doesn’t it?
But what about our spiritual perspective? After all, our perception of God works the same way.
The more we distance ourselves from him, the smaller he is in our eyes. But the closer we get, the more we realize he’s even bigger and more powerful and more loving than we could ever imagine.
The question is, have we allowed distance (from hurts or fatigue or temptation) to shrink our perception of God lately? Have we minimized his love for us or the dreams he wants to place in our hearts?
If so, Holy Spirit is tenderly calling us closer… close enough to marvel at all he is and all he gives us. Today, our heavenly Father wants to show us how we’re one with him, how his Spirit lives within us, and how we can have uninterrupted fellowship with our Jesus.
We don’t have to settle for a small perception of God. Will you join us today in drawing closer to our king?
01.
The Message
“You have made me small. You forget who you are. Come now. Come close. The discomfort within you is caused by your missing me, your pulling away from me. Stay connected now, dear one. Be restored–all the way. Let me speak to you in the ways you need me to most–how my love claims you. How it is my love that gives you your name, your sure place on which to stand.
“Your identity has always been known by me. You have always been here with me–when I dreamed you, when I chose you, when I loved you. And then, in your life here–this life now–you get to walk with your Jesus, your brother, your king, your friend. You are not left alone.
“He came to walk alongside you, leaving you no orphan, equipping you to breathe the air he breathed, hear the voice he knew, receive the love I give, be restored by my Spirit. You are one with me. You are one with Him.
“But you can forget this. And I can bring you back to me. And when you come back, may I teach you something I want you to know? May I show you what it looks like to be one with me? May I show you how to make me more than an accessory to your days? May I show you my enormous love for you? May I teach you how to live in my overflow?
“What do you say? How do you respond, dear one?
“I ask you again: may I show you my abundant love for you? May I give you all, all, all that I have to give?
“For you don’t want just a small portion of me, do you? You don’t want to live in fear. You don’t want to feel imprisoned by what this world says is possible and what it deems full of worth.
“For I am possible. All I love is made possible. You are made possible. All you dream, with me, can be made true. All that you desire, with me, founded on my love, is my heart, too. Be one with my heart now. Be one with my dreams. Be one with my plans. Be one with my desires. Be one with me, my child, the one I pour into and adore and stay close to and equip for more, more, more.
“Again, child, don’t make me small. You are restless when you make me small. You are unhappy, unsure, stressed and doubtful of goodness when you make me small. Dream now. Stay close now. Live in my abundance now. Be treasured. Be loved. Be known.”
02.
Listen
Think about the way you view God… how does this week’s message challenge your perspective of him? What passage or phrase stands out to you the most?
Let’s pull out our journals and pen a prayerful response to the Lord.
03.
Think
“I have been crucified with Christ: and I myself no longer live, but Christ lives in me. And the real life I now have within this body is a result of my trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me” (Galatians 2:20, TLB).
1. Where do you tend to limit God in your life? In what areas do you feel distant from him?
2. Where do you want to experience more of God’s presence, love, and power in your life? Where do you long to feel more unified with him?
3. What dreams does God want to stir in your heart in this season? What could happen if you shut down the lies and misbeliefs that limit those dreams?
04.
Trust
The pressures of this world have a way of making God seem smaller, don’t they? Trying so hard to keep up with our busy schedules, say no to sin, meet others’ expectations of us, deal with new hurts and trials … all of these things can easily shift our attention away from Jesus.
So what do we do? King David writes:
“Oh, magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together!” (Psalm 34:3, ESV).
The Hebrew word for “magnify” in this passage is gadal, which can mean to exalt, to make great, and to enlarge or magnify.
Of course, this Scripture isn’t talking about actually making God himself bigger. Instead, it’s talking about changing our perspective of him, making our view of him bigger as we worship him and focus on all he’s done.
Can we do that today? To start, let’s go to a place where we can comfortably pray and speak out loud. Now, let’s read aloud the following Scriptures:
“He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all–how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?” (Romans 8:32, NIV).
“And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19, NIV).
“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us…” (Ephesians 3:20 NIV).
“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly” (John 10:10, ESV).
“Great is our Lord, and abundant in power; his understanding is beyond measure” (Psalm 147:5, ESV).
“I tell you the truth, anyone who believes in me will do the same works I have done, and even greater works, because I am going to be with the Father. You can ask for anything in my name, and I will do it, so that the Son can bring glory to the Father” (John 14:12-13, NLT).
Now, let’s pull out our journals and write down truths about God based on what we read in these passages. For example, we may write down, “God’s power is unlimited–and he can do far more than I can imagine” or “God meets all of my needs through Jesus.” Feel free to make these truths about God and his love personal to you and your situation.
And now, let’s close in prayer.
05.
Pray
Father, you are far greater, more powerful, and more loving than I can understand. Thank you for sending your Son so I can know you personally.
I confess where my view of you has been limited. Where my heart is hard, soften it. Where I’ve been distracted, turn my eyes back to you. Let me see just how big you are. And teach me to dream with you and to live in your abundance.
Thank you for giving me full access to your throne of grace in my time of need. I always need you, Lord. I love you so much.
In Jesus’ name, amen.
Waving the banner with you,
