"Call unto Me, and I will answer thee, and show thee great and mighty things, which thou know not.” Jeremiah 33:3
The story of King Saul is such a terrific saga; it shows how he began his career as king of Israel, his faith, —or lack thereof, and how his reign ended. (1 Samuel 10:22-24, 31:1-6) Although he really did not believe he was supposed to be the first king of Israel, once he actually became king, his arrogance would lead him to believe in his own strength. He was no different than the rest of us; he needed a paradigm shift to understand the leap of faith God desired for his life.
A paradigm shift is anything that allows you to move from one level of thinking to another. For some, it is the transition from college student to professional. For others, it will mean the transition from single-and-free to mated-with-children. However, most of us will experience a paradigm shift upon the passing of one or both of our parents when we finally understand the meaning of the circle-of-life. In that time and on that day, we truly become adults with an understanding that previously, we were the next generation to fulfill the gap, and now we are the generation in the gap.
Paradigm shifts are interesting events; they enable us to be in a particular circumstance while preparing ourselves to fulfill yet another role. In some cases, it becomes a type of projection into the future. In many instances becoming a Christian is akin to having a paradigm shift—your reality changes.
If you grew up in a Christian household, the shift is actually quite different than if you found God on your own. (Don’t bother to write, I am a fourth generation Christian) I say the paradigm shift is different because, “In-born” Christians can be a little arrogant in their belief; like Pharisees, sticklers for the law, believing that God only works for us based on the things we do. “New-born” Christians can see God more liberally than “In-born” Christians, because they can easily recall the depths from which God has saved them. They will be the ones who continuously remind us of the gamut of God’s Grace and Love in the lives of humanity.
It was the same when Jesus walked with the people; He caused a true paradigm shift among both the people and the Pharisees. Each group had to change the way they looked at the extent of God’s Love. For the Pharisees it was a new understanding that God Loved people more than “The Law.” For the people, it was in understanding that God Loved them enough to forgive them for the sins they enacted against Him. So, whether you are an Inborn Christian or New-born Christian, you should rejoice in understanding that God will do all He can to keep you, constantly shifting His paradigm to keep you in Grace! L.
Study Reference: Jeremiah 33:3
From: "A Paradigm Shift." In The Master's Hands: 365 Daily Devotions For Everyday Living.
Copyright © 2014 by Lavona E. Campbell
photo: Getty/ Faroe Island, Lake in a Mountain.
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