Devo Week 2

Do You See What I See? - Missing Jesus

There is a way to keep from missing Jesus. It's through humility. Even if we do miss him, through humility our vision can be restored. When we humble ourselves, our eyes are opened to see from God's perspective.

Key Concept: The Vital Sign of Humility

Like the oxygen level in our blood, humility is a key vital sign of our Christlikeness. If oxygen is around 94% or above, our bodies can function properly; however, as oxygen levels drop we begin to smother and become dysfunctional. It is like this spiritually as well.

Being ego-centric describes an individual who is only concerned or thinks about oneself. Being ethno-centric is being so collectively-centered that we cannot see other people and cultures with a redemptive perspective.

This is why we need to continually offer our hearts to the Lord, humbling ourselves in order to see things from His perspective. Humility will bring vitality to our perspective and allow us to be empowered by the Holy Spirit. When pride is replaced with humility, we make space and room for His Spirit to flow in and through us. Otherwise, in our self-sufficiency we become egocentric and ethnocentric and are released to simply work on our own and in our own strength. Whether individually or collectively, pride causes our perspective, vision and spiritual vitality to wither away.

Humility is a daily choice, like putting on clothes. "Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for ‘God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.’” (I Peter 5:5 ESV) Where there is humility, God's grace flows freely to us individually and collectively, and as His grace increases so does the clarity of our spiritual eyes.

Key Word Definition: Ethnocentric (adjective) Ethnocentrism (noun)

- evaluating other peoples and cultures according to the standards of one's own culture.

Excerpt from Devotional 2 with highlighted word:

"If we enter another culture from a superior attitude, looking down upon it, our view of the people is already skewed. We have distanced ourselves from the start, and our far-sighted vision will likely limit our ability to reach them effectively. Ethnocentrism causes us to approach others with blinders, and consequently, we often miss seeing Jesus among them."

Scripture: Matthew 7:4

"How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye?” (NIV)