Luke 5:17 One day when Yeshua was teaching, there were P’rushim and Torah-teachers present who had come from various villages in the Galil and Y’hudah, also from Yerushalayim; and the power of Adonai was with him to heal the sick. 18 Some men came carrying a paralyzed man lying on a bed. They wanted to bring him inside and lay him in front of Yeshua, 19 but they couldn’t find a way to get him in because of the crowd. So they went up onto the roof and lowered him on his mattress through the tiles into the middle of the gathering, right in front of Yeshua. 20 When Yeshua saw their trust, he said, “Friend, your sins are forgiven you.” 21 The Torah-teachers and the P’rushim began thinking, “Who is this fellow that speaks such blasphemies? Who can forgive sin except God?” 22 But Yeshua, knowing what they were thinking, answered, “Why are you turning over such thoughts in your hearts? 23 Which is easier to say? ‘Your sins are forgiven you’? or ‘Get up and walk’? 24 But look! I will prove to you that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.” He then said to the paralytic, “I say to you: get up, pick up your mattress and go home!” 25 Immediately, in front of everyone, he stood up, picked up what he had been lying on, and went home praising God. 26 Amazement seized them all, and they made a b’rakhah to God; they were awestruck, saying, “We have seen extraordinary things today.”
Have you seen extraordinary things today? Let's back up. What would it take to be considered extraordinary?
For some reason it becomes easy for us to take for granted the things we diligently prayed for in the past. We seek prayer from our friends when we are applying for a new job and then 6 months into it you are complaining about the conditions and lack of pay. You finally get that pay raise and the first few checks have your heart fluttering. Again, 6 months later you are convinced you aren't getting paid what you're worth.
Worse still, you get that date with the person you would die for then 5 years into marriage you can't get away from them fast enough.
Do you see the common thread in these scenarios above?
Yeah, it's you.
We are really good at taking the extraordinary and converting it to plain ol' ordinary. I don't think this has everything to do with contentment. While that may be part of it, I think it mostly has to do with entitlement. It seems we are wired to always expect more while we continually do less.
Instead of seeking excellence in the workplace, we seek justice. So we do less or martyr ourselves to feel justified.
Instead of becoming a fully committed servant to our spouse, we think of all the ways they don't serve us. So we withdraw creating an even worse situation.
What can we do to break this death-giving cycle?
Walk in excellence -- then justice wouldn't be needed.
Meet all of your spouses needs -- and you'll find yours will get met.
What is excellence?
It isn't "a job well-done" action. It's being amazed that Abba has given you breath and an opportunity to serve others, and you take that excitement and project it forward into other people's lives.
How do you meet your spouse's needs?
It isn't just taking out the trash or making dinner. It's being amazed that Abba has given you this person to teach you how the Bridegroom and Bride are to operate. Here is someone that knows all about you and is with you anyway.
----------
Focus for Today (and the rest of your life):
Seek amazement. Hunt for the extraordinary and never let it become ordinary.
If you want to level-up, serve, serve, serve. And thank Abba that He's put you in that place of service. Slaves serve out of fear. We need to serve out of love.
Do something extraordinary for EVERYONE you meet today. Something so extraordinary, Amazement seizes them all, and they make a b’rakhah to God. Leave them awestruck, saying, “We have seen extraordinary things today.”