WITH WHO'S EYES

"Perfectionism is the voice of the oppressor, the enemy of the people. It will keep you cramped and insane your whole life. I think perfectionism is based on the obsessive belief that if you run carefully enough, hitting each stepping-stone just right, you won't have to die. The truth is that you will die anyway and that a lot of people who aren't even looking at their feet are going to do a whole lot better than you, and have a lot more fun while they're doing it." Anne Lamott

With Who’s Eyes?

This morning I took the time to watch Bill Winston it has been over a week since I have been fed the Word visually and audibly due to a hectic schedule and my personal decision to sleep. Today however, I was blessed as always.

The message was about focusing less on impressing others and focusing on solely impressing Yahweh by living His Word. In the message Winston referenced Peter’s decision to step out of the boat and walk on water. How at that time Peter wasn’t concerned with the others in the boat or what they thought. In that moment he saw Jesus on the water and he asked Jesus, Lord if it is you bid me to come to you on the water. Imagine what would have happened had Peter asked the other disciples what they thought first. He may have let those who were doubters, negative, skeptical or anything outside of faith filled deter him from even asking Jesus to bid him to walk on the water.

Yes, the disciples all walked with Jesus however these are the same disciples that Jesus had to speak to and say in Mark 9 "O unbelieving generation!" replied Jesus; "how long must I be with you? how long must I have patience with you?” In this scripture the disciples were unable to cast an evil spirit out of a boy and heal him. They should have been able to but they did not believe. How do I know? Because that is how Jesus addressed them, o unbelieving generation!

Scripture says when you ask in prayer BELIEVE whatever you ask is yours. We have to examine our belief systems. So the question of with who’s eyes goes to with who’s eyes do you see yourself? Are you like Peter who saw Jesus on the boat and saw himself (Peter) the way Yahweh saw him (Peter) and therefore he (Peter) asked Jesus bid me to come to you. Or would you have had to consult the disciples in the boat?

Hear me, when you read this loud and clear, just because a person is in church weekly or multiple times a week, read’s their bible, watches church programs etc. doesn’t mean that they are walking and living by faith nor does it mean that they are believers. Yes of course seek Godly counsel but remember you can go to God for yourself as well. Ask your self are you going to someone for advice that has used their faith and belief to advance in life. Are you going to someone who is usually positive and upbeat? Are you consulting the counsel of someone who has what it is you desire or has done what you are trying to do?

Why must you do this? Because you do not want to allow someone else’s vision of you to determine how far you can go and what you can do. This includes parents, close family, friends, anyone whom you are close to. Yes they have your best interest at heart but usually people limit others by their own limitations. So it is not only about not trying to impress others it is also about needing to go to others for validation or approval. Learn to read the Word, live the Word and walk by faith. I like the way Winston said it, “believe Yahweh in spite of your circumstances.”

We must stop letting outside natural things effect our spiritual, super natural lives! We must look at how we see ourselves and also why we see ourselves this way. Our image starting being shaped in our homes, schools, and friendships and this image was not necessarily the image of Yahweh. Then we have to ask ourselves are we continuing to be the image that we were told we are by people or the image that Yahweh created us to be.

Once we do that, then we can go forth live by faith and walk on water :-)

Be a blessing and be blessed,
Epiphany Essentials