His Plan - Perspective

Have you ever struggled with seeing perspective or realizing something really cool happened and you looked at in a new way? Well, this past Wednesday a light bulb went off in my head, no doubt.  Here is my story.

This summer my job is babysitting for a family three days a week.  Our movie theater in town has a summer special where you can go see an already out of theater movie for $1 either Tuesday or Wednesday at 10:00.  On Wednesday, we took the opportunity to see the movie Max.  This movie is about a service dog named Max who is too traumatized to remain in Afghanistan after his partner Kyle dies in war.  Kyle's family ends up adopting the dog, and Kyle's brother Justin takes responsibility to care for Max.  Throughout the movie Max and Justin learn to get along, and Max looks out for Justin when put in certain situations.  Justin trusts Max that he will be able to get Justin out of trouble.  Their relationship reminds me of how God looks out for us.  Max protects Justin. God protects us.

Nahum 1:7 says..
The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in him,

2 Thessalonians 3:3 says..
But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen and protect you from the evil.

Trust is so important as a Christian.  We have to be able to trust God, so he is able to take us on the journey we are meant to go on.  It is not always easy, but it is always worth it.  We must have an open heart that he will protect us in anything that comes our way.  This may be either good or bad, but these are the situations that shape our relationship with God.

After getting home from babysitting that afternoon, I randomly decide to flip through Netflix because I haven't been on it in a while.  I came across the movie Christian Mingle and decided to watch it.  I figured it was about two Christians who meet online, start dating, and then end up happily ever after.  But my prediction was wrong.  It was about a woman named Gwyneth who creates an online dating profile to try to find a nice guy because she hasn't had much luck with dating.  Gwyneth sees Paul's profile on Christian Mingle, and they meet in person for a coffee date.  The only problem is Gwyneth is not a true believer.  She figured this dating website would help her find a good man, but she didn't really realize the effect of not being a Christian. Through their conversations on dates, faking her way through a bible study, and thinking the mission trip to Mexico was more of a vacation than anything Paul put the two and two together and realized Gwyneth was not the person she portrayed on her dating profile.  Of course they broke up.  Gwyneth still wondered how these people were always so happy and positive, so she opened a Bible and a few beginner books about Christianity to seek more information.  By the end of the movie, she had found a church that she felt comfortable attending.  She quit her job, and became the new teacher in the village she had helped on the mission trip with Paul.  One day Paul came to visit the village, and the couple had realized how much they truly loved each other.

Matthew 5:8 says..
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.

John 8:32 says..
..you will know thee truth, and the truth will set you free.

Gwyneth was able to struggle through her personal imperfections of believing in something higher than herself.  Through Paul she realized what her life was missing.  She knew of God, but was unsure how to seek the Christian lifestyle.  This movie was a true testament to us as Christians.  Do we fake our true identity when we are around our friends because they might think we are weird or do put a fake smile on when we are at church because that is what makes us feel comfortable?  If we are honest with ourselves and honest with the journey God is taking us on, then God's word will set us free into the perfect imperfection individual we are.  Our faith journey at times may be a roller coaster, but in the end we will all end up in the hands of God.

Can you believe I'm going to mention a third movie? Well, hold on because here it goes.

It was early in the evening, and a good friend of mine texted me about going to see Me Before You. Me being me, wanting to see my friend, and getting out of an empty house I took the opportunity to go see this chick flick.  It is about a guy named Will who had been in an accident that left him paralyzed.  Will's mother hires Louisa to be his caregiver hoping she will help Will realize living is worth it.  Of course it took the two a while to build a friendship.  Then, they began to invest in feelings for one another and fell in love.  Louisa took Will on several adventures.  They laughed together, and then cried together when Will decided it was time to let the enemy win when he made the brave decision to take his life. He wanted Louisa to follow her dreams and didn't want his disability to be a burden to her.

2 Chronicles 15:7 says..
But as for you, be strong and do not give up, for your work will be rewarded.

Romans 5:3-5 says..
Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.

Will may have passed away, but it is Louisa who was been faithful to her job.  She was able to provide money to her needy family, and she was blessed to gain a wonderful friendship with Will.  She will be ever grateful for the opportunity she got to work with Will and discover her independence.  In this broken world we live in, we must be faithful to our beliefs and know that we do have everlasting life at the right hand of the father.  Soon we will be able to live with no fear, hurt, and pain in heaven.

While I was driving home on the interstate, I was able to see such a beautiful cotton candy sunset.  I was listening to The Message on XM radio.  The song Great Are You Lord by Phillips, Craig, and Dead came on the radio.  I am not the one to usually be moved my songs, but apparently this one hit me right in the feels.  Here is me driving 65 on the interstate, with an amazing sunset, the presence of God, and I'm balling my eyes out.  It was my time to talk to God and forgive myself for some sinful things I have been holding on to for too long.  The presence of God can be anywhere as long as you just allow it to fulfill the air. And how awesome is it that my pastor's sermon today was about this very topic.

Sometimes it's just about getting another perspective about things...God Bless!

Great Are You Lord by Phillips, Craig, and Dean
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CyA82zLIA8s