Christian Perspectives – what will it be?

April 1, 2015 · 0 Comments

I watched a Christmas movie a few months back entitled, “A Perfect Christmas List.”
At first, it seemed like this Christmas movie was similar to many others. You know, the guy meets girl, they fall in love at Christmas time type of thing. But as I reflected upon the movie the next day I began to realize how many important Biblical concepts had been tucked away, half hidden, for the person who was open to their suggestion. I watched that movie three more times looking for the lessons to be learned.
Having eyes to see and a desire to learn and a willingness to be attentive pays valuable dividends to the person who is prepared to seek and to find what may be buried and hidden. This is true in mining for gold or silver and is true for discovering spiritual truths as well.
These lessons I noted in this movie were similar to those found in the account recorded in the Book of Numbers chapters 13 and 14. Moses sent twelve spies into the territory God had promised to give to His people after they had escaped from slavery in Egypt. It would be good to notice the impact of previous history, as generational slaves on the thinking, beliefs, words and attitudes expressed by the majority of the spies. They returned carrying evidence of the bountifulness of the land, but their report was mixed in nature. Ten spies focussed on the perceived strength of the people in the land and their walled cities.
Their perception of their own weakness was greater than their faith in God. Two of the spies focussed on the greatness of the land and their faith and trust in God to help them be victorious. The influence of the ten created fear and doubt in a whole nation, ultimately delaying the entry into the land by forty years.
What was interesting about this account was the fact the very things which the people feared came true for them. They reaped what they sowed in terms of their thoughts, beliefs and words. It was a reflection of their hearts impacting their actions and ultimately bringing to pass their outcomes.
The same was true for Joshua and Caleb, the two spies whose report declared, “Let’s move forward into the Promised Land with faith in God.” These two, while having to wait forty more years, successfully entered in and saw the fulfilment of their dreams and goals. They too, reaped what they sowed.
What we think, what we believe, what we say and the attitudes we express really do matter, because they impact our actions, which determine the outcomes in our life. In re-watching this movie I was struck by how powerfully this point was demonstrated. It really does not take very long to memorize the words of this principle, but it takes much longer to master and live it victoriously. When we take the time to learn and implement this principle by God’s grace and help it is transformational.
Movies can be bring to light and life valuable insights and benefits, but the real and lasting benefits are gained when we learn and apply the principles of God’s Word in our daily lives. Having moved beyond the Christmas season and rapidly approaching the Easter season, I would challenge you to look for the same principles demonstrated in the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. They are there, if you will look for them. Your future and its outcomes will be found in the choices you make now. So, what will it be?
Rev. Bob McLellan
Grace Church of the Nazarene, Shelburne, ONJOY Center of Learning
Resources for Building Lives
www.JOYCenter.on.ca