Mary
27-04-2007, 11:15 PM
I have been pondering the good gifts that God bestows on us. I'm not sure why, since all the things I've read today have nothing to do with God's gifts to us. I've been known to lead myself astray, so I thought I'd share a few of my thoughts, so those of you who are wiser than myself can test it for me.
It says in James 1:17 that every good and perfect gift is from above, from God. Whenever I hear the word 'good' I instantly think of all the things that I like - good food, health, shelter, family and friends, etc.
But I've been wondering about the other things - the things that I don't like, the things that make my ugliness show, the things that drain the life out of me. If every good gift is from God, then is the opposite also true? That every gift God gives is good? How can my weaknesses be good? They cause me to hate myself, they cause others to hate me, what's good about that?
That reminded me of Acts 17:26,27 "From one man he made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live. God did this so that men would seek Him and perhaps reach out for Him and find Him..."
What this means to me is simply that, God worked out every little detail to put me in the best possible time and place and situations, for me to respond to His love. If any of the things in my life were different - more to my liking - then instantly the chances of my reaching out for Him lessen.
So, that brings me back to the things in my life that aren't to my liking - they too are good, good for my soul, because without them, I'd be lost. In fact, they are probably more good for me than the things that appeal to my senses, because they're the ones that constantly remind me of the fact that God even exists, and that I need Him.
When someone gives me a gift, I cherish it. I take good care of it. I remember the person who gives it to me and am filled with love for that person as well as gratitude. So, if I look at everything I have, both good and bad, as a gift from the unchanging Father of heavenly lights, it shouldn't be hard for me to have an attitude of gratitude all the time...
Please correct me if I'm wrong anywhere. If not, then pray for me that I will remember the things that God teaches me and stop my grumbling!
In Christ,
Mary.
It says in James 1:17 that every good and perfect gift is from above, from God. Whenever I hear the word 'good' I instantly think of all the things that I like - good food, health, shelter, family and friends, etc.
But I've been wondering about the other things - the things that I don't like, the things that make my ugliness show, the things that drain the life out of me. If every good gift is from God, then is the opposite also true? That every gift God gives is good? How can my weaknesses be good? They cause me to hate myself, they cause others to hate me, what's good about that?
That reminded me of Acts 17:26,27 "From one man he made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live. God did this so that men would seek Him and perhaps reach out for Him and find Him..."
What this means to me is simply that, God worked out every little detail to put me in the best possible time and place and situations, for me to respond to His love. If any of the things in my life were different - more to my liking - then instantly the chances of my reaching out for Him lessen.
So, that brings me back to the things in my life that aren't to my liking - they too are good, good for my soul, because without them, I'd be lost. In fact, they are probably more good for me than the things that appeal to my senses, because they're the ones that constantly remind me of the fact that God even exists, and that I need Him.
When someone gives me a gift, I cherish it. I take good care of it. I remember the person who gives it to me and am filled with love for that person as well as gratitude. So, if I look at everything I have, both good and bad, as a gift from the unchanging Father of heavenly lights, it shouldn't be hard for me to have an attitude of gratitude all the time...
Please correct me if I'm wrong anywhere. If not, then pray for me that I will remember the things that God teaches me and stop my grumbling!
In Christ,
Mary.