LIVING HOPE - Reading With the People of God: Part 18ಮಾದರಿ

How's My Desire?

As a music teacher to young children, it baffles me when students have a desire to participate, but make themselves miserable when they focus on a detail (a certain instrument to play, a certain color of instrument, a specific song that we already sang several times, etc.) rather than enjoy the fun we all are having learning. At times, one might pout and miss out on incredible opportunities to do much more all because their desire was distracted by a minor element rather than the main focus.

Isaiah has been preaching to the nation of Israel to warn and guide them in turning back to God and to stop being distracted by earthly things with no eternal value or relationship to God. We will finally read some positive words in Isaiah that foretells, in poetic form, the passion of our Savior to those who are against Him while highlighting His sacrifice (comparing it to a winepress) as the redemption for those who trust in Him. This picture gives not only a view of the powerful position Christ holds, but a glimpse of the humility and suffering He endured.

As it is our opportunity to read the words of Peter, we can reflect on the prophesies of Isaiah and ask ourselves if we are also distracted by the world around us. The challenge he raises causes us to look at our growth and desire as believers and followers of Christ.

These are the questions I have as I read these passages:

• Am I hungry for the plain and accurate truth of the gospel in my life?
• Do I reflect a life that shares the love of God above all else?
• Out of intense appreciation for a relationship with God, am I living in a way that others notice, simply by watching me, that I follow God and am more attached to His kingdom than the things of earth?

Primer contributed by Gaylyn Mott, Christ follower, musician, teacher, yarn artist, member of Cornerstone Community Church of Chowchilla.