WONDEROUS GIFT

Imagine that you live in a brick house, covered with a roof that is maybe seven or eight years old, two bathrooms and three bedrooms; the center of the house is the center: a great room with a dining alcove that will comfortably seat 6 diners, along with a gas fireplace and kitchen.  The kitchen appliances have all been replaced during the recent years.  There is also a new hot water heater, plus an HVAC system that is one year old.  The lawn is not large but more than adequate for a family, with many of the neighborhood homes having fences/enclosures providing privacy and added security for the back of the home. In the double garage, there is a vehicle, lawn mower and a food freezer.

In the Christian community, we call this blessed!  God has provided more than is actually needed to live comfortably.  Just as he guided His people in Exodus to a new environ that was touted to be filled with “milk and honey,” meaning there was everything there that would be needed to house, feed, provide shelter, along with fruitful land for farm stock and lush gardens.

Those people wanted more.  We want more.  Neighbors may seem to have it better.  People we know have it better than we do.  Is it that we don’t just want to have all we need, abundantly, of course, but we want to be on top of the heap also.  When is enough, enough?

There seems to be, in me and perhaps you, a constant battle to “better” ourselves. This poisonous nature raises a greedy head and makes us sometime go down a blame path.  “Why does this happen to me?  Why can’t I ever get ahead?  What is God punishing me for?”  There starts the argument within.

Greedy head.  Blame life.  Blame God. Self-depreciation.  Not worthy.  And so on.

There is also the truth of the situation.  This is actually an abundantly blessed life.  God never said that we won’t have to work for our bread.  God never said we won’t have trials, challenges, troubles and some doubts.  He never said that those who are believers and who are given the gift of redemption, that comes with belief and includes a promise of eternal life, would have to work it all out alone.  He said He would be with us and that the Holy Spirit who lives within would guide us when we SEEK GOD.

We were wondrously made and were endowed with freedom of choice about what we believe (even when circumstances give one a downhill body slam on a snow-covered hill).  We are instructed to seek guidance, acknowledge God’s bountiful gifts and presence within, praise Him and ask for help in managing our thoughts, decisions and actions.

Not only do we, me, tend to feel insufficiently covered despite having funds stored away for future days when we intend to finance our later lives filled with leisure, fun and ease.  This feeling starts to stir up a pot of unrest and those pesky questions that begin with WHY start us toward an out and out argument.

STOP. 

Seek God.  This is what a recently a sermon series, presented by the pastor of the church I follow, has presented lately with vivid references and examples from the Holy Bible.   https://www.youtube.com/c/fbcbaldwyn

Wondrous GIFTS.  Praise God. Humbly expression appreciation for the blessings.  Tell Him.  Tell family who stands beside you and also provides abundant gifts of care, love, support, a car to borrow and funds to cover expenses of vehicle repairs.