#Jesus - Daily DevotionalsSample

#TurnAround (Tobias Teichen)

When I see a police car in the vicinity, the following thoughts almost always go through my head: “Am I driving slow enough?”; “Do I have my seatbelt on?”; “Just don’t do anything stupid!”

Some people react in a similar way with God. Maybe you see God as a cosmic patrolman who is just waiting to hand out tickets and fines and makes your life difficult.

Paul says this is a poor view of God. Because God wants to protect you as your friend and helper and protect you from greater misery. And I think this is also the case with the police.

God is not out to give you a wipe and to spoil your life by burdening you with a bunch of rules and to-dos or by reminding you of your sins. You can perceive it as a sign of God’s love when he speaks into your life. God wants you to succeed in life! And because he has a slightly wider view of your life situation, this is also necessary time and again.

When we celebrate Jesus’ resurrection at Easter, this means that we rejoice that somebody else has paid for our fine. “Having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness, which stood against us and condemned us; he has taken it away, nailing it to the cross.” Colossians 2:14

For this reason, we can live a personal relationship with God that is truly free and fulfilled. God wants to see and help the lives of his creatures to be successful. And this life should be one which offers totally new perspectives and possibilities through forgiveness of sin and liberation of constraints and hopelessness.

Actionstep:

On a piece of paper, write down everything that has gone bad in the last few days. Where have you hurt yourself, others or God? Where do you need forgiveness? When you are finished, write below it: “Already paid, yours the police – um, yours Jesus.”