Stumbling blocks and gravestones

“For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man.” Matthew 16:23

My humanity gets in the way. Not all the time, but with uncomfortable regularity. I come up against difficulties and problems and I begin by looking at them from a human perspective. I like to think I'm just problem solving. But I might actually be putting up stumbling blocks.

From that time Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised. Matthew 16:21

Jesus begins to tell the disciples what lies ahead as they move towards Jerusalem. From a purely human perspective the outlook is not good: suffering and death. Simon Peter is quick to tell Jesus that this is a bad idea.

Stumbling block!

That's what Jesus calls Peter. I wonder if I were to listen carefully if I might hear the Lord say the same thing to me sometimes.

So, what am I to do? What are we to do?

The answers are actually all around us in Scripture:

• Be still and know that I am God...Psalm 46:10
• Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus...Philippians 2:5
• If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God...Colossians 3:1
• Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on Earth as it is in heaven...Matthew 6:10
• If any want to become my followers let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me…Matthew 16:24, Mark 8:34, Luke 9:23

Better a gravestone than a stumbling block.

When Jesus invites us to take up our cross, he is inviting us to put our self (our human way of thinking and acting) to death. So when I die to self, I no longer look at my challenges from my human point of view. Instead, I seek to know how Jesus might look at the situation and how he might call me to walk through it with him. I'm not saying it's easy.. far from it. I find that I am often the biggest obstacle in my way. When I can surrender myself, my ego, my pride, my will, I often see the path ahead more clearly… because I am no longer in the way.

Blessings,

Matthew+

Lord of all power and might, the author and giver of all good things: Graft in our hearts the love of your Name; increase in us true religion; nourish us with all goodness; and bring forth in us the fruit of good works; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God for ever and ever. Amen. (BCP p. 233)