Redefine Your Circumstances...
Wednesday, January 11, 2012 at 3:29AM 
Happy Wednesday, Friends!
And to those visiting, I say welcome! Susie Larson here...
I post every Wednesday and my sole purpose is to nourish your soul along the way. Each month I give away a $10.00 Starbucks gift card to someone who posts on my blog. So share an insight, bless lots of people, and just maybe you'll win a jolt of java for you and a friend.
Now on to my topic...
Many of you know that my dad passed away last week. We're still reeling from the suddenness of it all, but we know he's with Jesus and for that, we're eternally grateful. My dad dealt with numerous health issues and rarely felt well, but that's not what all of his grandkids will remember about him. When they think of their grandpa they'll remember how funny and snarky he was, how much he loved them, and how important they were to him. When the grandkids were around, my dad focused on them, not on his suffering, which to me, was incredibly heroic of him.
When Jesus suffered on the cross, His thoughts were on those He came to save. Because of the joy set before Him (you and me), He endured the cross and scorned it's shame (see Hebrews 12). He could have complained about His immense, unfathomable pain, He could have shouted, "To hell with you all! You're not worth it!" But He did the exact opposite. He embraced our worth. He cherished the thought of us in Heaven with Him. The whole idea of eternity with us kept Him going. Thank you, Jesus.
Jesus came to save us, and in the process, He redefined the cross. Crucifixion was a horrific, public, painful humilation. It was the worst way to die, in pain, shame, and dishonor.
Jesus, our perfect, sinless, spotless Lamb, brought honor and dignity to the cross. He offered salvation to a lost and dying world, through the worst it had to offer, death on the cross. He triumphed over death on the cross that we might live free and powerful lives.
Even the way He lived redefined "religion" and challenged the religious legalist. They didn't know what to make of Him. Jesus just would not be bound by traditions and laws that boxed in His love and concern for those who needed Him.
When Jesus freely shared a meal with those the world despised, the scribes hated Him for it. Because Jesus lived and breathed love, honor, and dignity, He redefined every circumstance in His midst. Read what William MacDonald wrote regarding Jesus' meal with the tax collectors:
"The scribes thought they would ruin the Lord's reputation by calling Him a friend of sinners. But their intended insult has become an endearing tribute. All the redeemed gladly acknowledge Him as the friend of sinners, and will love Him eternally for it." (Believer's Commentary)
If you have surrendered your life to Christ and have accepted His sacrifice on the cross for your sins, you now live with the power and influence of Almighty God at work in and through you! You can bring dignity and honor to every situation. No person, no circumstance, so accusation can diminish your worth. No loss, no rejection, no misstep can separate you from God's love.
If you're walking through an especially difficult time right now, look up. Your circumstances do not define you. God does and has and you're worth everything to Him. Bring dignity and honor to your struggle with finances; bring holiness and humble confidence to your battle with health issues; bring power and influence to the pain of your broken relationships. Redefine your circumstances. You can because Jesus turned the tables on the enemy and won. The same power alive in Him is now alive in you. Overwhelming victory is yours! Walk forward with holy confidence.
~Until next week.
Reader Comments (18)
Lord, love through us that it would not just be us loving out of our own strength but you loving through us in YOUR strength. All for your glory. Amen.
I pray in your grief that our Father draws you close to his heart, infusing you with his own powerful love.
Thanks so much for your sweet words. And what an awesome dream, to adopt a Downs Syndrome child! That's an angelic call and such a beautiful one. May the Lord fulfill the desires of your heart in ways beyond your hopes and expectations. Blessings to you, dear sister!
So nice to hear from you! And I'm so sorry to hear about your mother in law's cancer. May God comfort and bless you all during this time. One thing I will say, God is especially close to the brokenhearted and grieving soul. That is for sure. Oh, how I love Him. Bless you, dear sister!
Bless you for your wonderful post! I don't know if you're a writer, speaker, or a teacher of some sorts, but you ought to be. There's power in your words and conviction in the way you convey yourself. May God surprise you with new open doors of opportunity to share His love and grace. Blessings to you, dear sister!
You said it better than I did! Very cool. Thanks so much for your post. You are a ray of sunshine in my life! Blessings to you, dear one!
God's great blessings to you!
God's best to you and yours!
"Lord, love through us that it would not just be us loving out of our own strength but you loving through us in YOUR strength. All for your glory. Amen."
You said it beautifully. Thank you, dear!
I LOVE that you commented on Tina's comment. That's one of my favorite things to see on this blog...community. I love it. Bless you.
What a story, and what a testimony! I'm so sorry for your painful past and the memories associated with those years. May God lift you up and heal and restore you fully. May you see glimpses of His glory every where you turn. May He show you wonders of His love that overwhelm you and make your knees weak. May He put a new song in your heart and a new dream in your spirit. May you walk forward unafraid and full of faith that your future will be far greater than your past. Blessings to you, dear one.