Greetings in Christ,
I forget to step back and take measure of my life. I forget to step back and see the wonderful things that surround me. I forget to step back and take measure of the beauty which has been part of my life. I forget to step back and see the wonderful people who I have the pleasure of knowing, even the ones who seem to get under my skin. I forget to step back and see how truly blessed I am.
It has been easy to get acclimated to the things the way they are. It has been sort of expected on my part just because I felt I deserve it, or that I have worked hard to acquire it, or I have learned a new technique or skill. My reasoning is I have been given a gift from God so I should have it, or be able to do it, but I fail to step back and truly fully understand just why I have been blessed in my life.
It is not that I am something special, or am I outstanding in what I do, or I excel beyond others to set myself apart from the rest. It is not because I have two Christian parents, or have Christian siblings, or have a Christian wife and children. It is because I have been chosen by God to be His child.
What I am or what I can do has nothing to do with why God has chosen me. He has chosen me because I am His creation. He has equipped me to be able to do things which He has designed for me to do to help build His kingdom. God has a reason for me to be a part of His kingdom, and out of His willingness to see His creation succeed He has blessed my life. I forget to step back and take measure of how blessed I am and to give Him the praise for all He has done for me.
God had a warning for the Israelites as they were to move into the Promised Land. God warned them not to forget Him because they were going to enter a land which had a special place in His heart and His plan for mankind. It was a land which they did not have to struggle because He cared for it, and He made sure the vegetation had plenty of water and sunshine to grow. The Israelites were not going to have to work hard to feed their families as they had in Egypt. They were going to receive God’s blessing on their lives so they could flourish. All they had to do was to praise and worship Him.
I think it easy to get acclimated to the way things are and become complacent thinking there should be more and not be happy with what I have or can do. Instead, I should be stepping back and taking measure of the fullness of God in my life, and to give Him thanks for how He has blessed my life. The more I step back and see just how God is working in my life my focus changes from me to Him, and if I truly understand why God has done what He has done I realize the things I think are important seem so trivial.
The more I get to know God the more I realize I do not praise Him enough, and that is a mistake on my part. God’s praise should be on my lips all the time no matter what I am doing no matter the circumstances for I am truly blessed.
“Praise the Lord! I will give thanks to the Lord with all my heart, in the company of the upright and in the assembly. Great are the works of the Lord; they are studied by all who delight in them. Splendid and majestic is His work, and His righteousness endures forever. He has made His wonders to be remembered; the Lord is gracious and compassionate. He has given food to those who fear Him; He will remember His covenant forever. He has made known to His people the power of His works, in giving them the heritage of the nations. The works of His hands are truth and justice; all His precepts are sure.
They are upheld forever and ever; they are performed in truth and uprightness. He has sent redemption to His people; He has ordained His covenant forever; Holy and awesome is His name. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; a good understanding have all those who do His commandments;
His praise endures forever.” Psalm 111
Lord may I never forget to give You the praise You so deserve for You have truly blessed my life. Amen
Blessings,