Scripture
But when he saw the strong wind and the waves, he was terrified and began to sink. “Save me, Lord!” he shouted.
~Matthew 14:30, NLT
Quote
It is always a mistake to take your eyes off of Jesus.
~Ya’akov
I ordered a book a month or so ago my D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones on Spiritual Depression. I tried to read it at the tail end of my Covid experience but couldn’t get into it. I picked it up again Monday and the sparks began to fly. Martyn Lloyd-Jones was a contemporary of my grand parents. He was promoted in 1981. He had a medical degree but spent most of his life in theology and was minister of Westminster Chapel in London. On page 35 Lloyd-Jones says, “Look at nothing and nobody, but look entirely to Christ and say, ‘My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus blood and righteousness.'” He explains that certain temperaments are more prone to depression than others and you do not choose your temperament. If you are extraverted, God made you that way. If you are introverted, that is God’s doing. Some professions are more problematic when it comes to depression. Being a pastor is one of them. Elijah, Jeremiah and John the Baptist all had bouts of depression; so did Charles H. Spurgeon. I suppose one of the causes is that we never accomplish our task: the more we do, the more there is to do and we can never do enough. There is no time clock in the ministry. You don’t punch in and punch out.
BUT, I said all that to say this: YOU NEVER TAKE YOUR EYES OFF OF JESUS. Many have sunk into depression because they lost their focus. Even if you are in depression, worship is the remedy. Why worship? In worship we focus on Christ–all eyes are on HIM. The sermon may be about you but worship is not. I love to preach but I enjoy it more after good worship. Worship gets our focus on Jesus. I was thinking this week, “Why are all our communion services so good at Grace Point?” It is because all the focus is on Jesus and what He did for us. It is not on me or my sermon. Peter made a mistake when he took his eyes off of Jesus and began looking at the elements and he began to sink. I am not saying that all depression is self-induced but I am saying; it is a mistake to take your eyes off of Jesus and it always leads downward. Don’t set your eye on a medical doctor, a vaccine, a political party or some personal passion like football or hunting. Get your focus on Jesus. Learn to say: “I rest my faith in HIM alone who died on Calvary, my sins to atone.” Lloyd Jones greatest fear was that the majority of his parishioners didn’t understand true grace. YOU had absolutely nothing to do with your atonement. Your happiness depends on your obedience and you have a lot to do with that but you had no part in your atonement. When it comes to our atonement–“It is finished.” Don’t try to add to what Jesus has perfectly completed; it will lead to frustration, disappointment, doubt and perhaps depression. Keep your eyes on Jesus!
I am on my new Mac and its a learning experience but it is much faster and I like that! Santa came early for me, Lexi and Holden brought me two cheese burgers last night and the bad thing is: I had already started eating supper but I ate them anyway. I also got a puzzle and a candle.
We have not heard from Phillip overnight: I am going to try to call Jay today. To my knowledge, all other Covid sufferers are better. I had another Chloe Bug story but can’t remember what it was: Oh well this is life for a 17 year old.