What I have been doing?
Adjusting to life’s blessings.
Right now, I’m writing this blog post in the car, using my phone as a hot-spot, drinking an energy drink, while our middle daughter is at cheer practice. I’ve been desiring to write for a while, yet, it’s been a fight to find the time. I also wasn’t 100% sure of what to write about, but I’m so glad it hit me. With everything that I have going on, adjusting to life’s blessings, captures it all.
As I have been following Christ, my life has been marked by progress, change, and growth.
Here are a few of my observations, throughout all the seasons:
- If you want your life to change, you must change.
- Your current life is a reflection of your past choices.
- Jesus Christ makes all the difference!
- Jesus is faithful, able, and willing to change you; and your life.
- Change is hard, takes work, and is perpetual.
- The more you gain, the more that is required of you.
- Elevation in life requires maturity in character.
- There will always be challenges in life.
- Imperfections are to be expected, this is life. The key is growing in our response to them.
- Peace is to be desired and pursued.
In my last post, I shared how I received a new position. It has been such a blessing. Such a blessing. Not only did I receive a new position, but I am currently a part of 2 small groups + we are going through Financial Peace University, which is Dave Ramsey’s financial program.
Right now, I’m often tired. I try to stay away from absolutes, but it could be pretty accurate to say I’m always tired. Yet, I have hope, I’m excited, thankful, and eager.
Another thing that I’m learning about life is that with our blessings, we often have one picture in mind, but God has another. [Smiling as I’m typing.]
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.”
– Isaiah 55:8-9
God always has a way of reminding us of His sovereignty over our lives.
We are not in control. Nor is there one thing that does everything for us. Let’s ponder that. We often think that “if this one thing changes, then I’ll be happy”, or “if they would just do right, then I’d be ok.” This is wrong thinking. Even when God blesses us, we will still find ourselves challenged in life. You cannot forget the words of Jesus in John 16:33:
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
We. will. have. trouble. It’s a guarantee. When Jesus says it, it’s good as done. His words are truth. The challenge then for us is to begin to see challenges in a new way. This will help us when adjusting to life’s blessings.
We tend to think that our blessings are for our comfort, our enjoyment, and if we are honest, our feeds. Surely, the blessing of God comes with no sorrow [Proverbs 10:22]; but we cannot separate God’s blessings from His overall purpose for our lives. Romans 8:29 lets us know that for every born again believer, our lives will have a common denominator- conformation to the image of Christ.
In other words, it is God’s will for us to be like Christ.
No matter the season or position we find ourselves in, this purpose will not be aborted. I have found that a big part of adjusting to life’s blessings often includes: obeying, serving, giving, and denying self. As God blesses us, He gives to us. As He gives to us, He requires us to give to others.
This giving is not limited to physical resources, but often it is tied to spiritual resources, like: patience, love, forgiveness. All the things He gives us. Adjusting to life’s blessings involves assuming the position of a vessel- allowing Him and His ways to flow more freely through us.
The more that I gain, the more that I realize I am not in control.
The more that He blesses me, the more I see His grace. Adjusting to life’s blessings requires us to turn away from the world and turn to the face of God. As we behold Him, we begin to look like Him.
Our blessings are not to display our goodness. The truth is, there is no good within us apart from God [Romans 7:18]. Instead, our blessings ought to position us to more clearly reflect His goodness. Lastly, another proper response to adjusting to life’s blessings is redirecting all praise and admiration to the only good One who truly deserves it- God.
Consider the example of Jesus in Matthew 19:17b:
“Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.”
Adjusting to life’s blessings requires us to grow in our responsibility of directing all praise to God.
Whether people get it ot or not, our responsibility is to obey, to yield, to give Him the honor. As people see our lights shine, the proper response is to glorify our Father, which is in heaven [Matthew 5:16].
As you aim to progress, to grow, to excel; pursue those things in light of the ultimate goal:
Christ.
I’m reminded of Paul’s words in Philippians 3:7-8:
“But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ”
No physical blessing that God gives us can compare to the ultimate gift of His Son, who redeemed us and brought us back to the Father; and secured us a place with Him in the heavenly realms [Ephesians 1]. What a blessing. What a blessing.
No matter what God gives us, we must never forget that Christ is greater than it all. In Christ, our peace is secured and every victory is won. In Christ, we find contentment- whether we abase or abound [Philippians 4:12]. In Christ, we have everything we need. [Psalm 23:1].
No matter what position we find ourselves in, truly, Christ is the greatest blessing we will ever receive.
Read Why Do We Fight?
