Thursday January 29

well, that’s just perfect! 

The seminar speaker emphasized a positive mental approach to everything. And I’m okay with that, for the most part.

She elaborated on how we might stay positive in the face of annoyances. Suppose someone rudely swoops into that prime parking spot just ahead of us. Simply stop and say, “Well, that’s just perfect! Now I can get more exercise by walking farther.”

Such an approach can help us stop whining about trivialities. Some situations are far from “perfect,” however. Sometimes maintaining a positive mental attitude is not only difficult, it isn’t even sane.

In a sense, the entire Bible is devoted to the fact that everything is not perfect. Whole sections of Scripture tell of unspeakable deeds: Murder, rape, cannibalism, treachery, genocide—Earth’s intolerable experiences are well documented.

Bookending all that mayhem is a long-ago and faraway garden where the first man and woman lived in perfection, as well as a promise that the Creator of that garden goodness will return to make everything new (Genesis 2:1–25; Revelation 21:5). And in the middle, woven into the flawed fabric of life, is a unifying thread that gives us reason for real joy.

“[Christ] . . . existed before anything was created,” writes Paul. “He holds all creation together” (Colossians 1:15,17). “He made peace with everything in heaven and on earth by means of Christ’s blood on the cross” (v.20).

When we trust Jesus, we trust the One who put all of this in motion. He came to walk among us and offer the perfect sacrifice for the damage we have inflicted on His creation. And He’s restoring everything to its proper order. One day we’ll say without a hint of irony, “This is just perfect!” —Tim Gustafson

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Colossians 1:15-22

He made peace with everything in heaven and on earth by means of Christ’s blood on the cross (v.20).

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For the perfect beginning, re-read Genesis 2. For the perfect ending, read Revelation 22.

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What’s your most pressing issue right now? How can you trust God with it?   

Intentional Living Moment - Pastor Peter Kraft // Define Faith from intentionallivingcenter on GodTube.