What are You Taking for Granted?

So I’m a day late, but I’m working to get back on track. I’ve been writing this blog all day, but just now sat down to get words on a page. This week has been hard for me, but I refuse to let the challenges win. I’ve been traveling more than usual lately and while I’ve been in four different cities in the last two weeks, I’m determined to get to the things I know are part of my purpose. This is one of them. 

So I mentioned earlier that I’ve been in four different cities over the past two weeks. I’ve taken four flights and driven over 700 miles in that time. During that time, I had the opportunity to think on what God has been doing and what I’ve taken for granted over the years – direct flights, being able to hop in the car to see my parents in under six hours; having a place to call home; peace and quiet; a solid church family, etc. There are so many things that I can’t name them all. 

Well, recently I got a new job and all that will change. Not sure how yet, but things will not be the same. Now, I have to consider all those things. Nothing is a given. I have to think them through to make the best decisions about how I use the resources with which God has entrusted me. I’ve also realized how as I intentionally consider all those things I’m more conscious of just how grateful I am for the blessings I have. 

I challenge you to sit down and really consider all the good things in your life, the first being your salvation through Jesus’ sacrifice and His resurrection. How many of us take Jesus’ sacrifice for granted? How easy is it during this time of year to forget that Jesus was born so He would later die for my sins and yours (1 Tim 1:15)? We take His love as a given, but we don’t consider how much it cost. It cost Him leaving Heaven and taking up residence among people just like us, who didn’t take Him seriously (except as a threat) and didn’t listen to His message because He dared to come a different way than they thought. 

Have you ever considered how arrogant or self-important we sometimes are when we don’t have a real perspective of who we are and our place in God’s Kingdom. We take for granted that God will do what we ask, but don’t want to follow His rules or guidance. We want to do it our way and then have God co-sign on our dysfunction, as if He owes us something. He doesn’t. We owe Him everything (Psa 89:18-28). So, if you are taking God’s moves for granted – Stop It. He doesn’t have to do anything for us. The fact that He has given us any opportunity at all to be saved is reason to be on our knees thanking Him continually (1 Thes 5:16-18). So the question remains, what are you taking for granted? Take a moment to give thanks! He deserves it!