Here's Rich and he likes talking about ants, look below the picture to find out why.....
Last week's afternoon message was titled 'Perspective'. So on his day off, Rich was having a nice quiet moment on the bench at a lovely cafe nearby and quickly realised that there were some ants joining him for a little catch up session. At first he took it as a challenge to flick as many of them away as possible (cue the super slowmo montage with John Wick inspired music in the background of Rich as he flicks these little guys one by one). While he was halfway into his debut action movie performance, he felt God impression on him to "stop and watch" the ants. He stopped and started to look at these ants from a different perspective, he could see a lot more of their world than they could see.
"This is how God sees us" - Rich Rycroft
Rich said "God sees everything" (Jeremiah 23:24) and that may sound so simple to you as you read this but when you live in the revelation of it, you will realise why the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom (Proverbs 9:10). We have a limited view because of our limitations as humans, but God can see the whole picture. When we see the table, he will have already seen the tree that led to the table. I remember when I was young and I lost my phone, it would most certainly lead to a mini tantrum until I found it and that tantrum turned to shame because the phone was in my hand all along. Some obstacles are not that simple and you will feel like it's impossible to push through but God says to trust in him with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding (Proverbs 3:5). My King sees more than I do and loves me, he's who I'm trusting with my life, what about you?
"The perspective is always wrong when we focus on ourselves" - Rich Rycroft
Rich touched on the fact that the disciples were told by Jesus many occasions that he would die and rise again in three days. That didn't stop them living in the moment and mourning Jesus after the crucifixion and at times contemplating if he was who he said he was. Their perspective of the Messiah was that he would overthrow Rome and take over the world with brutal force. They forgot all he had said to them and what he had showed them with his actions. What they didn't realise at the time is that by his death and resurrection, he did overthrow Rome and any other "kingdom" and his name was exalted above every other name. He would now be seated at the right hand of the Father (Acts 7:55-56). In Jesus the victory is already won, not because we know how it's won but because we know Him. Let's change our perspective and let Him lead the way.
If you're still reading this, please go check out the full message, link is below
- Joab :)