This particular season before the race has been…well…pretty great. The Lord provided $6000 for my trip since training camp (which was just 1 month ago), I’ve had more photography work than I know what to do with, I’ve made several new friends, cold weather has officially arrived in Texas (PRAISE!), and my time with Jesus has been sweet, refreshing, and oh-so-intimate. He is showing me more each and everyday about what it means to have an intimate relationship with Him, a friendship that is growing deeper than ever before.
In a season of plenty, of sweet fellowship with Jesus and community alike, it can seem so easy to slip into complacency. A stagnant faith. One that praises the gifts, not the Giver. The blessings, rather than the Bestower. A faith with misdirected honor.
“We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised.” -Hebrews 6:12
Blessings from God are awesome. Ideally, they point us back to the Creator, the Giver of all things good in this world. They are designed to draw us closer to Him. But when there is no immediate, tangible need, it can be easy in our human, inadequate, fallen nature…to become lazy.
And just like in times of need, times of worry, and times of loss…seasons of blessings require a response. Our response in a time of need is to cry out to God for His provision and mercy. Just the same, our response in a time of plenty is to cry out to God in thanks and praise. But our response should ALSO be to reflect that thanks and praise to others. It is the responsibility of Christians to be light-bearers to a dark and fallen world, reflecting the light and love of God for all of Creation.
Racers…past, present, and future…if you are in a season of blessings, press in. Praise God. And reflect that attitude of praise and thanksgiving to others.
Let your response be praise.
