Guest Post: The Lens By Jenica McMaster

When I am driving at night, I need glasses! It literally changes my entire perspective to see through those lenses. I can see signs, people, directions- I know where I am going and that gives me confidence as I drive! In the same sense, we see this world through a lens. Our minds eye if you will. And the lens we use will give us sight to see people, signs and give us direction. But, we have to choose daily which lens we see everything through. When we see all things through the lens of Jesus and our purpose in Him, it radically changes our lives. We receive that lens through His word, investing time in the study of His word and as we spend time in authentic relationship with him- (through prayer, worship, study, and through the Holy Spirit in us) we see everything differently.

My question is, what lens are you looking through? As you walk through your day and are faced good times and bad times, which lens do use and react from? The lens of success, the lens of your past, your addiction, your finances, the color of your skin, the words of defeat spoken over you, the lens of fear, of shame, of guilt, the lens of striving, the lens of image building, the lens of comfort, offense, the lens of sexual desires, of envy, of jealousy, of fame? Do you see everything out of the lens of this earth and of the flesh?

I challenge you to switch lenses!! Through The Word and relationship with God Almighty, you see everything through the lens of freedom in Christ and gain an eternal perspective! You see death as a gateway to a beautiful eternity, you see struggle and hardship with purpose, you see waiting as an opportunity for dependance on God, you see spiritual battle all around us and are eager to participate in the fight (with your armor), you see your image as the image bearer of Christ (2 For 5:17), you see your children as His kids that you are called to shepherd, you see your job as an opportunity to glorify Him with your talent, you see your finances as all being His and your opportunity to invest in the things that bless Him, you see friendship as an opportunity to strengthen and be strengthened, you see everyone as a child of God, you see the hurting and the lost as God’s creation in need of their creator, you see this earth as a temporary place where we spread His good news, you see Heaven as home, you see pain and sickness as temporary, you see marriage as holy, you see culture as fallen, you see earthly fame as a distraction from the only one worthy of worship. The lens of eternity puts everything in perspective. Are we in a fiery trial or an earthly inconvenience? Do the battles we fight have eternal significance? If not, what are we fighting for? The lens changes everything!

To see through this lens, it takes action. We must wake up every day and surrender our earthly lens, surrender our flesh, surrender our desires. I love what Beth Moore says in her study on David “Remember, any day not surrendered to the Spirit of God will automatically default to the flesh. Spiritual living doesn’t come naturally- sin does. The first step to victory is acknowledging the authority of God in our lives.” Study Galatians 5:16-25, it is so clear and beautiful the difference between the “flesh lens” and the “Spirit lens”. When Satan tempts you to look through this earthly lens and whispers defeat over you- take up your sword of the spirit which is the Word of God (Ephesians 6) and fight him in prayer!! Your God is Faithful to deliver you, every.single.time! Check your lens friends!! —Jenica McMaster 

Galatians 5:16-25 New International Version (NIV)“
16 So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.
17 For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever[a] you want.
18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.
19 The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery;
20 idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions
21 and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
25 Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.