Oh wow, look at the leaves on the trees.I had an obligation as his parent to help him see clearly. We might consider that God, as our parent, is obliged to help us see clearly. Fortunately, my son didn't refuse to wear the right lens; so why do we?
If God made us, he is certainly capable of assembling a book that helps us see clearly. The bible reveals the story of how we began and what the whole of the story is really about: the revelation of Jesus Christ to help us get back home.
Home is where our souls began (see Jan 26th post); we were launched into the freedom sphere of this earthly life to decide if we should return home or go it alone. We try on the lens of evolution (no God), or the lens of I don't need God, or I'll keep him at arms' length and use him as I need him. Eventually, we may realize that none of these lenses helps us see clearly. The fit just isn't right.
What about the lens offered in Ephesians 6?
God is strong, and he wants you strong...this is no afternoon athletic contest that we'll walk away from and forget about in a couple of hours.We are players on the ballfield of life. If we choose the ballfield where God is coach, then we realize the stakes and the opponent and train accordingly (more from Ephesians 6):
So take everything the Master has set out for you, well-made weapons of the best materials. And put them to use so you will be able to stand up to everything the Devil throws your way...This is for keeps, a life-or-death fight to the finish against the Devil and all his angels. Be prepared. You're up against far more than you can handle on your own.The wisdom of this lens of life leads us right into All In with God. If you were on a literal ballfield, facing the toughest opponent imaginable, wouldn't you have trained and held on dearly to every word from the coach? Wouldn't you let him lead every step of the way and give it your all, for every moment of the game?
That ballfield is our life. This moment in time, and all the moments we still have. All In with God gives us access to more of Ephesians 6:
Take all the help you can get, every weapon God has issued, so that when it's all over but the shouting you'll still be on your feet. Truth, righteousness, peace, faith, and salvation are more than words. Learn how to apply them. You'll need them throughout your life.My son was missing the details of the view surrounding him. If he couldn't see a warning sign early enough to react, he would have stepped into danger.
Small wonder that there is a saying, The Devil is in the details. We don't want to miss that danger. The lens that gets us onto the right ballfield, listening to the right coach, will give us everything we need to see clearly and play strong. Ephesians 6 continues:
Keep your eyes open. Keep each other's spirits up so that no one falls behind or drops out.All In with God...together...playing our way back home in victory.
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