Many times when I go out to eat, I’m so distracted by the glorious tastiness of the food that having a healthy conversation is often secondary if not completely absent.
However,
I recall having a dinner with a close friend of mine not too long ago at a local restaurant.
This conversation was different.
My friend and I had both recently graduated from University.
As such, we began reminiscing on the successes and challenges we encountered throughout our academics.
We then began to discuss our potential plans concerning things in the near future;
Further education
Career
Marriage
Discerning whether or not marrying food is legal, etc.
Throughout this conversation, I couldn’t help but notice how anxious I was getting for things that were yet to come. Despite having a decent plan, the uncertainties of tomorrow always found ways to disrupt my contentment.
Thankfully, my friend brought to remembrance something I so often forgot. The sacrifices and efforts our parents had made in order for us to be where we were.
Now, this is something I’ve heard many times before, but never truly appreciated
However, that evening, my heart was filled with genuine gratitude regarding my parent’s labour of love for the better of my future.
Upon coming home that evening I asked myself,
How many other things have I not being truly grateful for?
Let’s ask a bigger question
How often do we forget the things God has blessed us with?
If you notice, during the days of Moses in the Old testament, God always made sure to remind the people of Israel that He delivered them from the land of Egypt.
For reals though, lol He never missed a chance…
- Exodus 20:2
- Exodus 29:46
- Exodus 32:7
- Leviticus 11:45
- Leviticus 19:36
- Leviticus 22:32-33
- Leviticus 23:42-43
- Leviticus 25:38
- Deuteronomy 9:7-8
Just to name a few….
I understand many of us may not be where we want to be in life at this point, but there are plenty of things we should be grateful for as brothers and sisters in the faith.
Here are some reminders to refresh our memories:
1. Our Salvation
Question…when was the last time you reminisced on your conversion story? Genuinely.
Or have we been walking in the faith so long that we have forgotten what God has saved us from?
Has this testimony become boring to you? Do you think it to be insignificant in comparison to the testimony of other believers? other believers who have had “crazier”
Whether you were born into a healthy middle christian family and brought up in a broken rebellious home, there is no salvation testimony that is “lesser” or lack significance.
In case you’re like me and have struggled in feeling apathetic regarding the salvation we have in Christ Jesus, let me remind of one important truth:
God saved you by His Grace
*start back –> Ephesians 2:8-9
2. Our On-going Sanctification
I suffered endless guilt trips very early in my faith due to the common mistakes and lack of growth I saw in regards to my obedience towards God.
However, I was so quick to dismiss the work God had already began concerning my heart and mind. Prior to being saved, rarely did I suffer from these “guilt trips” let alone concern myself with the things of God. The fact that I even wanted to change shows how merciful God had been in renewing my desires (Ezekiel 36:26-27) and setting me free from the nature of sin (Romans 8:2).
Although it is good (and expected) of Christians to consistently grow in obedience (Galatians 6:9-10), we must shouldn’t neglect where God has already taken us from.
Let your previous victories over sin assure you of the God who enabled you to defeat them.
3. This Day
The fact that you are reading this blog post whether through computer, cellphone or a tablet tells me two things.
#1 – You’re Alive
#2 – You have access to the internet
There are definitely several additional challenges I am unaware of, but the fact that you are alive today speaks so greatly concerning God’s mercy.
Moreover, I recall many prayers God has already answered, but seem to forget them the moment a new issue arises. Regardless of life’s greatest obstacles, there is always something to be grateful for.
16 Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 [ESV]
My Bias
Now…..I understand that this blog post (along with others alike) is mostly, if not completely bias towards those who believe in Jesus Christ and it would be unfair of me to not justify my reasoning behind it.
Whether you’re a Christian or not there are still plenty things in this life we can be grateful for.
However,
I would be speaking out of ignorance and self-conceitedness if I chose to stray away from the warnings concerning those who do not surrender their lives to Christ.
A dying man can eat the most delicious meals before passing away. Unfortunately that won’t prevent him from dying.
Similarly, having a heart of gratefulness and positive vibes will not save your soul.
Jesus will
16 “For God so loved the world,[a] that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. 18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God. 19 And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil.
John 3:16-19 [ESV]
I’m honestly having writers block at this point, contemplating how I should deliver the remainder of the message. I’m not sure if I should be serious, sarcastic or humourous.
All I can say is, the gospel of Jesus Christ is the greatest thing I could ever be grateful for…. and to those reading, I pray that it would be for you as well.
Soli Deo Gloria
Soli Deo Gloria 