Thankfulness. We have so much to be
thankful for. As sinful human beings we deserve nothing at all. Every breath we
take, every move we make, everything we see, everything we hear, smell, taste
and touch, it is all a gift from God. As
sinners we don’t deserve anything, yet we have everything. Because of that,
because of the abundance of blessings around us, we have so much to be thankful
for.
While there is such an abundance of gifts,
it is sometimes easy not to realise their true value. Recently I moved through a 30 day challenge, each day looking at a gift we have received from God. 30
days, 30 blessings. It made me realise how much we have and how much we can be
thankful for. Especially because nothing we have done merits at all. We do not
deserve anything. I strongly suggest you try listing all your blessings. It
really makes you stop and think.
The biggest gift of all is the love of God.
God loves us. Think about that. We are sinners, not deserving of anything
despite everlasting judgment. Yet God still loves us, so much that he ‘sent his only begotten Son, so that whoever
believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life’ (John 3:16).
Jesus dies on the cross, he paid the price for all our sins so that we are pure
in God’s eyes and he remembers our sins no more. Isn’t that wonderful. Our sins
are removed ‘as far as east is from west
(Psalm 103:2), all because of the immense sacrifice of one man. That
should be enough to make our hearts overflow with thankfulness and praise for
the wondrous works of Christ.
Yet, on top of that we become heirs to the
kingdom of God, we become members of Christ and heirs to life everlasting. In
becoming heirs, we are also called children of God. We share in all His
benefits and have the promise of life everlasting. We have the promise of a
life here after with no more sickness and death, no more pain and suffering, all
because God loves us.
Amazing!
God not only loves us and provides us with
these gifts, but he continues to provide for us. Living in a land of wealth and
prosperity we have plenty of food, shelter, numerous options of transportation,
clothing, money, a secure job, a variety of educational opportunities, and a
comfortable, warm bed to sleep in at night. Most of us are strong and healthy
and have no problems in doing our daily activities. We have hobbies to do
during times of relaxation and have the opportunity to go on holidays when we
desire. Our friends and family form a strong support network around us and the
Church community is also there to help us. The Church we attend has a strong
history and background, providing a solid foundation of doctrine. All this we
have in a country that allows us to serve God in freedom. Our God continues to
provide for us, he takes care of us so that nothing happens to us without his
will.
We have so much we can be thankful for. We
have so much that we can shout praises to the Lord for.
