"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places."
(Ephesians 1:3)
God pours out His blessing and how we must learn to return our thanks-giving, our benediction, to the greatest Giver.
How we live frugally in the midst of abundance. We take what we want, but are remiss to be thankful for all that we have been given.
It's Thanksgiving in Canada and we gather with family. A time of beauty and reflection and giving thanks.
There is a crispness in the air and the colours outside can nearly take your breath away.
We drive for hours, and the kids ask, 'When are we going to be there?' too many times, to two family gatherings one day after another and the excitement never seems to fade. We try to prepare ourselves for the crazy, loudness that will arise from all the uncles and children. There will be plenty of food and lots of laughter, but always tears and a bit of blood.
And always a deep ache for the brokenness that is evident, but not easily mended.
We gather with both sides of the family and the messy grief on each side, is a silent, painful reminder that this is not a life free from sorrow.
I don't want the messy in life, or the pain, the difficulties, the tribulations, the sicknesses.
I want the good things, but end up only taking them for granted.
How simple minded I've have become. How easily I forget, how quick I am to mumble, how often I fail to give thanks.
I, one who has been granted so much, lives so small in my gratitude.
I want to run from the hard things and expect all the good things, but, I see it here like never before,
that God, he really does give us all things.
"He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all,
how will he not also with him
graciously give us all things?"
(Romans 3:32)
He, God the Father, went to the most difficult thing, the messy, the sorrowful, and gave up His Son, that we might come to Him.
He poured out everything, even delivered His Son to suffer death, for us. His Son was not spared the pain, the difficulties in the life. He endured it all.
With joy he endured the cross and with thanks He willingly had His body broken that we might be made new, alive, redeemed, justified, forgiven, a saint, and so much more.
Why do I dare believe that I should only receive the rosy things in life.
Why do I dare refuse to offer up praise for the painful.
The promise is not that I will spared these difficult things in life, but that these things shall never sever me from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
And the command is not that I only have to give thanks for the pleasant things in life, but, "in everything give thanks. For this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." (1 Thessalonians 5:18)
He pours out blessing upon blessing. In Christ, I have receieved every spiritual blessing, every good thing, every difficult thing, every hard thing.
In Christ, I am blessed, I'm held in his grace, and can give thanks for everything.
I need to offer up daily benedictions, as a way of praising God for all His gracious gifts, and not just at this time of year, but at all times.
He poured out everything, even delivered His Son to suffer death, for us. His Son was not spared the pain, the difficulties in the life. He endured it all.
With joy he endured the cross and with thanks He willingly had His body broken that we might be made new, alive, redeemed, justified, forgiven, a saint, and so much more.
Why do I dare believe that I should only receive the rosy things in life.
Why do I dare refuse to offer up praise for the painful.
The promise is not that I will spared these difficult things in life, but that these things shall never sever me from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
"Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? . . . No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 8:35,37-39)
And the command is not that I only have to give thanks for the pleasant things in life, but, "in everything give thanks. For this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." (1 Thessalonians 5:18)
He pours out blessing upon blessing. In Christ, I have receieved every spiritual blessing, every good thing, every difficult thing, every hard thing.
In Christ, I am blessed, I'm held in his grace, and can give thanks for everything.
I need to offer up daily benedictions, as a way of praising God for all His gracious gifts, and not just at this time of year, but at all times.
***
"In Christ, I am blessed, I'm held in his grace, and can give thanks for everything." Amen! A beautiful reminder Rebekah to give thanks for EVERYTHING. I've been traveling but look forward to catching up on your series. Blessings to you.
ReplyDeleteWelcome back, Beth!
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