“When things are going well for you, be glad, and when trouble comes, just remember: God sends both happiness and trouble; you never know what is going to happen next.” – Ecclesiastes 7:14
Life is full of the unexpected. You never know what is going to happen next. I knew it was going to be a challenging day when I saw water bubbling up by the sidewalk in front of our house.
We were without water for a time. It helped me to remember the importance of having clean water, or for that matter, any water in our home. I wanted to wash my hands and then brush my teeth, but both required water. We ended up going out for dinner because water was need for cooking. And, the list goes on and on.
All of this caused me to pause and think of all the things in life that I take for granted without thought or thanks, like starting with waking up in the morning.
God has given us so much. Most of what we have, we take for granted, that is until it is lost and then becomes very important. Paul says it so plainly in Ephesians 2:11-12:
But don’t take any of this for granted. It was only yesterday that you outsiders to God’s ways had no idea of any of this, didn’t know the first thing about the way God works, hadn’t the faintest idea of Christ. You knew nothing of that rich history of God’s covenants and promises in Israel, hadn’t a clue about what God was doing in the world at large.
Do you have a clue or stop to think about what God is doing in the world and in your life? God has given us so many blessings that are too often taken for granted. Of these many blessings from God, there are some that He gives to everyone. Other blessings come from a rich and personal relationship of knowing Jesus is my Lord and Savior because I believe He died on the cross for my sins. I repented of my sins and was baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of my sins and now I have the blessing of receiving the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Do you tend to pray comfortable prayers, like Thank you for another day, or please help so and so, or help me be more like you? Do you approach God with a sense of habit and familiarity. These aren’t bad things to pray and, in many respects, comfort with God is a good thing.
But sometimes I wonder: Am I too comfortable with God? Am I taking God for granted? In my mundane, daily prayers, have I lost sight of who God really is?
Ask yourself today if you are taking God’s blessings for granted.
By John Grant
Used by Permission
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