In this season of being away from home for 5 months now it’s been easy to let my eyes lose sight of what God has blessed me with. It’s been easy to let my heart lose passion, and become lazy because of the excuse “I’m tired”. It’s been easy to let my heart turn away from the things I do have to let my mind turn to the things I don’t have. To simply put it, it’s been easy to discredit God and become ungrateful. God’s been convicting me a lot in this area of my life because who am I to not be pouring out thanksgiving the most high King? The one who gave His life for me, and who chooses me day in and day out! In a way to shift my attitude and thoughts, He’s been asking me to acknowledge His beautiful presence throughout my day, and to be thankful for all that He has so graciously given me. He’s been reminding me that my feet are planted where they are simply because of His goodness and plan for my life.
For example, right now He’s currently blessing me with the opportunity to serve in India and to be completely honest, I haven’t liked it all too much. We’ve hit the halfway point of the race, and it’s been easy to set my eyes on the idea of going home rather than setting my eyes on Him and His Kingdom. While it may be uncomfortable and away from what was once my typical way of life, it’s where He has graciously planted my feet and that alone is the reason I shouldn’t ever become complacent towards where He has me. He didn’t have to bring me here to teach me what He wants to teach me. He didn’t have to bring me here to serve His kingdom and fellowship with other believers- MY brothers and sisters, HIS sons and daughters. He didn’t have to bring me here to share my story with them, serve them, and love them. But the crazy cool thing is, HE DID! And He did it because He loves me and He knows it’s what I need. He knows these are the lesson I need to learn, the season I need to experience, and the discomfort I need to feel.
So here is what I’m learning: Everything we are and everything we have is simply a blessing from Him- a gift given completely out of the kindness of His heart! It’s never less than that, only ever more & no moment with Him is an ordinary one, so I shouldn’t ever treat is as so.
Here is how I want to challenge myself (and you!): Let’s stop discrediting God! When I start to think about all the things I don’t have, ignore the gifts He has freely given me, and fail to acknowledge His presence in all seasons/situations, I become ungrateful, prideful, and selfish. This is so easy to fall into, so instead of allowing our flesh to take over, let’s start turning our hearts and lifting our hands thanking and praising Him for all the things we do have. Let’s start seeking His presence in all situations, acknowledging that He is in them because HE IS!. Good or bad. Ugly or beautiful. Sweet or sour. Comfy or uncomfy. Make the most out of what He has blessed you with because I can assure you it has been GIVEN specifically to you for you to USE to bring glory to His name! God doesn’t do anything without intentionality. Let’s start intentionally seeking out ways to use what He has intentionally given us, and where He has intentionally placed us with hearts full of gratitude.
