“There was a man of the Pharisee sect, Nicodemus, a prominent leader among the Jews. Late one night he visited Jesus and said, “Rabbi, we all know you’re a teacher straight from God. No one could do all the God-pointing, God-revealing acts you do if God weren’t in on it.” (John 3:1-2 The Message Bible)
The Lord used three things to inspire the writing of today’s meditation. These “things” were provided over time. The first “thing,” came to my attention while I was looking through a book entitled “Mechanical Drawing for Secondary Schools,” written by two professors in 1916. I had owned the book for several years, but truthfully, I was just using it for the effect of it’s aged, brown, faded cover in a home décor scheme in a room where blues and brown were the accentuating colors. The first chapter of the book was aimed at helping students, writing in the year my Dad was born; helping students develop and understanding of perspective sketching. A perspective sketch or perspective drawing of an object shows it as it appears when viewed from a given position. Keep that in mind, and think of how we need to always get things in the proper perspective, including ourselves. Does our proper position have anything to do with being in Christ?
The second “thing” that the Lord used as a source of inspiration was my visit to the hospital for an appointment on this past Tuesday. Due to staffing shortages on that day, appointments were running behind time. Sitting back, somewhat tense because I believe in being on time, I started looking at all the clients that passed by my sitting area. There were persons with more health problems than mine and I felt empathy and compassion for them. But I also put things in perspective. That perspective being regarding my blessing of the health that I do have. I’m just being honest because I could have been worst off. Keep this in mind too, you will feel blessed with your portion of health and strength when you put it in perspective. Not a comparison with others, but rather a conscious recognition that the Lord God has let your days roll on a little bit longer, and He has done that for a purpose. You are not here, just to be here, but you are her for a purpose, more clearly, His purpose. You have to have a proper perspective sketch. So far, do you see a linking of position, portions of blessings, and purpose from a personal perspective?
The third “thing,” is not reverently referred to by using the term “thing”, so let’s say the third impression that the Lord used to inspire me was the story about Nicodemus, the member of the Pharisees who came to Jesus by night. Nicodemus wanted to get things in the right perspective. Tradition, towers of religious views held by the Pharisees, and times past had given Nicodemus one perspective. Yet, to ensure that He had the right perspective, He went to Jesus, who he concluded that God was indeed in Jesus’ God-revealing acts. Nicodemus needed to have an accurate view, a perfect perspective drawing regarding the kingdom of God. Nicodemus was not disappointed as the Lord spoke words to Him that were filled with exactness, truth, and a perfect perspective sketch. The link is expanded: position, portions of blessing, purpose, is extended by the pursuing of truth to get a perfect perspective sketch.
So today, when you need to get things right or accurate as it relates to living a God-conscious, Holy Spirit filled, and Jesus led life, go to Jesus, and get perfect sketches. Don’t restrict it to a sketch about how to gain eternal life, but seek a collection of perspective sketches found in Jesus’ teachings about a variety of matters that we shall face in life. If you want your perspective to be right, be like Nicodemus and go to Jesus, even if by night, if necessary, a time when you can get away from distractions. Like a mechanical perspective drawing, by going to Jesus. you will get your perspective sketches perfect vertically, lined up not by a try-square instrument, but by the Lord being truly square with you with nothing but truth. And when you do the vertical portion of your sketching right, as you already suspect or know or perhaps, you will be able to draw a perfect perfective sketch of a Christian’s horizontal interaction with others.
It’s time for you to start your day! Keep your sketches at the right angles by relying on the Lord. Let Him have the driving seat when it comes to your will and your ways. Be blessed!
“Then he told them what they could expect for themselves: “Anyone who intends to come with me has to let me lead. You’re not in the driver’s seat—I am. Don’t run from suffering; embrace it. Follow me and I’ll show you how. Self-help is no help at all. Self-sacrifice is the way, my way, to finding yourself, your true self. What good would it do to get everything you want and lose you, the real you? If any of you is embarrassed with me and the way I’m leading you, know that the Son of Man will be far more embarrassed with you when he arrives in all his splendor in company with the Father and the holy angels. This isn’t, you realize, pie in the sky by and by. Some who have taken their stand right here are going to see it happen, see with their own eyes the kingdom of God.” (Luke 9:23-27 The Message Bible)
Still committed to the climb,
Mark L. King