Important Lessons for a Very Peculiar Churchનમૂનો

Everything is a gift of God

What do you have that you did not receive?

This simple question challenges us to stop and reflect a moment: What do you have that you did not receive? What good thing in your life is not a gift from God? Can you take credit for even one thing in your life, even one small thing? No! Every single good thing in your life that you have ever experienced is a gift from a gracious God. Every single one.

Do you have enough food to eat? Water to drink? A shelter that keeps you warm and dry? Perhaps even a beautiful home? A car that takes you places? Do you have meaningful work or at least a job that pays? Are there some people in your life who care about you? A spouse? A child? A friend? A parent? A sibling? A teacher? A colleague? The air you breathe, the health you have, the life you live—they are all a gift.

What about the extra things—delicious meals, tasty restaurants, pleasing music, beautiful art, good bookstores, a gorgeous sunset, a clear night full of stars, movies, sports, hikes, and so much more? These are all a gift.

And then, the greatest gift of all: a Savior. A Savior who loves you. A Savior who died for you. A Savior who rose in power. A Savior who forgave all your sin and gave you life eternal. A Savior who will never leave you. Never.

Plus: The Spirit of God inside you. The power to live a new life. The mind of Christ. Citizenship in heaven. Adoption as God’s own loved child. The scriptures, living and active and sharper than a two-edged sword. The privilege of prayer. The power of prayer. The body of Christ. The opportunity to be used by God. The assurance of heaven. Peace, joy, and love poured out from God. A Father in heaven who is good and wise and powerful. The faith to trust God. All this and more—so much more!

Every single good thing in your life, every good thing that you’ve ever experienced or ever will experience, whether in this life or in eternity, is a gift of a gracious God. 

God has been good to you. So good to you. What do you have that you did not receive?