All I Have Done

TODAY’S VERSES:  Jeremiah 29:11 and John 3:16

After a blistering military defeat by the English, King Louis XIV of France was quoted as saying “How could God do this to me?  After all I have done for Him!”

At first glance, we tend to dismiss this remark as one made by someone who’s bitter…stunned by their defeat… and lashing out against whomever comes to mind.  But I wonder how many of us say similar things to God in our own lives…

You didn’t heal my son in the hospital… even after all the church services I attended.

You didn’t keep my car running… even after all the dollars I’ve put in the offering bucket.

You didn’t keep my marriage intact… even after all the hours I’ve spent serving at church.  

How could God do ____________ … after all I’ve done for Him.

What we do for God does not sway the way God treats us.  He doesn’t strike deals and He isn’t forced to return good for good.  God can choose to bless or heal or restore… but only how and when He chooses to do so.  So many of us try to earn “God points” and cash them in when we need them.  Like somehow there’s an invisible bank and as long as we have a balance of points, God owes us something or we can persuade Him to act on our behalf the way we want Him to.  Not the case.

God is God.  He is full of love, grace, peace, patience, and mercy for those He’s created and loves.  And that goes for you too.  If something doesn’t work out the way you think it should… stay strong and know that He is going to use if for your good.  The motivation for us to serve Him, worship Him, be generous in obedience to Him, and love Him isn’t because of what He will do for us… it is for what He has already done.  

Jesus Christ, God’s only Son, was send to die on the cross and resurrect so that we could spend eternity with Him in Heaven if we believe.

What we do for God pales in comparison to what He has already done for us.   

And that’s why we serve Him…worship Him… give to Him… and love Him.  

If you ever find your motive shifting with God toward a “He owes me” attitude…  Remember, God owes us nothing.  He gave us His Son who paid our sin debt forever.  But because He loves us so much, God continues to pour out His mercy, love, and grace on us all.  

Take some time to day and tell God how thankful you are for the gift of His Son.   Gratitude to God goes a long way to help us understand who we are in Christ and why God’s way is always the perfect one.  

One of Us

Hospital food has quite the reputation.  It really doesn’t matter what name is on the outside of the building, the food served inside leaves much to be desired in many cases.   Interestingly enough, the quality has changed very little regardless of the number of complaints from patients, physicians, and guests.  The leadership in one hospital in Ottawa, Canada wanted to change all of this.  They figured that the only way to truly understand what people were griping about was to eat the food themselves.  Breakfast, lunch, and dinner were served to the executives for a solid week directly from hospital kitchen.  

The verdict?  A major change was needed… and fast!

It’s easy to act like there is no issue or problem.  We can go through our day nodding that adjustments need to be made or feigning concern about a cause or situation.  But when we step into the shoes of those affected… our viewpoint changes!  That’s why Christ came. He put on flesh and was born as a baby so that He could fully experience the human condition.  Heartbreak, loss, victory, justice, elation, and gratitude… Jesus felt all of these and so much more.  When we pray that we’re hurting… He’s felt it.  If we are asking God for strength, He’s experienced that too.  

Jesus did more than just create the human race… He joined it.  And because of this we know that He truly understands and addresses our needs specifically.  Today, take a few minutes and thank Him for what He’s already done… and know that whatever you are asking Him for today He has felt it too.  He understands.  Personally.

Grateful

I once read a story about an eight-year old girl who was bravely fighting cancer of the nervous system.  When asked what she wanted for her 9th birthday she thought about it and said, ‘Well, I have two sticker books and a cabbage patch doll. I guess I have everything!’ 

To a young girl... just a doll and a couple of books meant the world to her.  What is that for you?  Do you have everything you need?  So many do, yet feel incomplete... like somehow if they added that one more thing they would finally be satisfied.  Problem is... once that one thing is in place... they want one more.  The Bible tells us in 1 Timothy 6:8 to think differently.  It says... “So if we have enough food and clothing, let us be content.”  Good advice.  We must remember that a fulfilling life starts with us being thankful for what we have... counting on God for what we need... and staying grateful in the process. 

Gray Dirt?

One afternoon, a Christian journalist was interviewing astronaut James Irwin.  Irwin was on Apollo 15 and actually stepped foot on the surface of the moon.  As the interview progressed, the writer asked the astronaut, “What did you feel when you stepped out of that capsule and your feet touched the surface of the moon?” Irwin thought a second and said, “it was one of the most profoundly disillusioning moments of my life.”  The journalist quickly asked “Why?”  James explained that his whole life had been spent dreaming about the moon.. how romantic and mysterious it was... and when he got there... all there was when he reached down was plain gray dirt.

James Irwin was standing miles and miles above his hometown on a giant orbiting rock that took thousands of man hours and millions of dollars to reach and all he saw was gray dust.  Have you ever lost perspective like that?  Miss the miracle because all you can see is the mundane?   Forget the positive because of the problems?  Many do.  Never forget to be in awe of God and what He is actively doing in your life.  He provides, protects, supplies, equips, and loves all of us equally and without a single one of us being worthy of it.   When you find yourself tempted to let the uncommon become common... stop... get someplace quiet... and take inventory of the situation.   I guarantee you’ll leave that moment reminded of God’s incredible love for you... and that the ground you’re currently standing on is more beautiful than you realize.

Thanksgiving

I once read a story about an eight-year old girl who was bravely fighting cancer of the nervous system.  When asked what she wanted for her 9th birthday she thought about it and said, ‘Well, I have two sticker books and a cabbage patch doll. I guess I have everything!’ 

To a young girl... just a doll and a couple of books meant the world to her.  What is that for you?  Do you have everything you need?  So many do, yet feel incomplete... like somehow if they added that one more thing they would finally be satisfied.  Problem is... once that one thing is in place... they want one more.  The Bible tells us in 1 Timothy 6:8 to think differently.  It says... “So if we have enough food and clothing, let us be content.”  Good advice.  We must remember that a fulfilling life starts with us being thankful for what we have... counting on God for what we need... and staying grateful in the process. 

A Different Attitude

George Douglas found himself out of work.  But unlike many who suffer this setback, he decided that his attitude during the challenge would not be dictated by his circumstances.  So he did a little experiment.   He kept a small notebook in his car... and on the first page of it, he drew two columns... one yes and one no.  Every time he pulled into a parking lot, if there was a space by the front door, he’d put a check in the yes column.   When the only spot was far away, the “no” column would receive the mark.   After seven years and thousands of parking lots... George made an interesting and unexpected discovery.  67% of the time, there was a spot up front.  

What’s the point?  Many times we go through life thinking that the worst will happen.  Things won’t turn out right... we’ll have to park far away... people are out to get us... We passively slip into pessimism without realizing it.    But the reality is... things are not as bad as we sometimes think they are.  God provides.  In fact, Romans 8 tells us that God works for the good of those who love Him.  From something as simple as a close parking space to something as significant as needs and blessings... He is there.  Find yourself wanting to see the glass half-empty?  Don’t.  Instead choose an attitude of gratitude and intentionally look for all the ways God takes care of you each day.  

Giving Thanks

      What does it take for us to say we have enough?  Many who struggle with this answer the question of “enough?” with “just one more.”  But where does it stop?  When does thankfulness begin?

To those that struggle with contentment... there will never be enough.  It will always lie one arms length beyond their ability to sleep at night.   Those that live in this camp wonder when the next one will be and never cherish what is.  Their entire existence is based on what they might miss out on by not having more. 

Today’s verses help with this.  

“Yet true godliness with contentment is itself great wealth.”  1 Timothy 6:6

“Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have.”   Philippians 4:11 (Paul)

Godliness with contentment, Paul says, is of great value.  In fact, he goes on to tell the churches in Philipi that he has “learned how to be content with whatever I have.” [sic].  

What was Paul’s secret?  What helped him move from greedy to grateful?  It’s simple.  Perspective.  Paul saw that his needs were met and that was enough.  He probably had wants...things that he’d like to have in his life... but he realized that these were superfluous to his mission.   Paul was sent to spread the Gospel... and help those around him find Christ as Lord.  He knew that God would provide whatever he needed to fulfill his calling.  

What’s your calling?  To grow, learn, love, support, partner, develop, share Christ, and become the person God created you to be?  Great!  I promise you… to do all of those things.. God will give you exactly what you need exactly when you need it.  All the other stuff that ties up your heart in the bonds of dissatisfaction are unnecessary… and only lead to stress, sadness, and the false feeling that you are missing out on something.  

Ready to move from greedy to grateful?  From wanting to worshiping?   From pouting to praise?  Make the commitment today to do so.   Maybe you’re sitting down around a table of food with friends and family… or maybe your gearing up to go shopping… or maybe none of that has started yet and you have a few minutes to spend talking with God.  Before you pray, make a list of all of the things God has done for you and provided for you this year.  It won’t take long before you realize that Paul had it right… It’s not about having stuff…it’s about knowing it’s enough.  And thanking God for his graciousness in allowing us to hold onto it for awhile.  

Happy Thanksgiving my friends… let’s celebrate His goodness all year long!