There are many blessings in life that we take for granted, especially the things we can perform. For instance, one will never recognize the importance of the toes until something happens to one of them and he can barely walk or wear shoes. It is hard to appreciate the importance of our larynx until we get a sore throat and are unable to speak or swallow. We also take for granted our mobility, our coming and going, and so many other important blessings down to the air we breathe. I have often heard people say that God is my everything, He is in control of us all, and in Him we live and die. But I have realized that I never fully understood God’s supremacy, especially during my teenage years. I am so grateful to God for His mercy and grace in my foolish years when my perception of Him was completely off. As I mature in Christ, I have realized that we reap many benefits when we understand that God is the Source of it all, which also means that everything we are and have comes from God.
It is interesting how all our heroes of faith have discovered this truth. At times I would read a passage of Scripture that would make me ponder the author’s intent. In other words, they might make a statement that makes me wonder what revelation they must have had to make that statement. Or what did they have to endure that made them draw such a conclusion?
For instance, King Solomon, the wisdom guy, finally concluded that “Vanity of vanities, all is vanity” (Ecclesiastes 1:2). He did not assume that “vanity of vanities, all is vanity,” but he declared it. And based on what I have heard and experienced on this earth myself, I can say that Solomon was right on the money. Another powerful statement from King Solomon in Proverbs 30: 7-9, was when he said, “Two things I ask of you, Lord; do not refuse me before I die: Keep falsehood and lies far from me; give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread. Otherwise, I may have too much and disown you and say: Who is the Lord? Or I may become poor and steal and so dishonor the name of my God.” And that statement is so accurate. Today, we realize that if we really want to live this Kingdom lifestyle, we will have to keep these things in mind and perhaps ask God for the same things he asked. So, what did he learn in life that made him ask God for these specific things? This sounds like the disciples who asked Jesus to teach them how to pray; out of all things they could have asked Jesus, why prayer? (Luke 11:1). This sounds like when Elisha asked the Prophet Elijah for a double portion of the Holy Spirit out of all the things he could have asked him (2 Kings 2:9). This also sounds like when many of Jesus’ disciples no longer followed Him. And Jesus asked the Twelve if they wanted to leave Him too. Simon Peter answered Him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have to believe and to know that you are the Holy One of God” (John 6:66-69). In other words, the Twelve knew that Jesus is their everything. This helps me realize that when we receive a revelation from God or have the right perspective of a situation, we will know the right questions to ask God. I have realized that the more I dive into God’s Word and the more experiences I have, the more I understand why these servants seemed to view their journey with God through a different lens. That is why they would say things or ask God for things that were not ordinary. Today, this kind of approach is not popular, and that is because you and I tend to focus on the next move we need to make, the next house to buy, the next project to work on, the next car, the next boo to date, etc.; we have totally lost sight that everything we are and have comes from God. Therefore, our focus shouldn’t be on the next thing to do or to have, but on the One who gives us the ability to do anything in the first place. Functioning with such a mindset changes how we see everything because our perspectives on life and the role we play here on earth now take on a different meaning.
Have you ever had a near-death experience? Have you even been in a car accident, an abusive relationship, or experienced a disease that came to wipe you out? Many, if not all of us, know that if it had not been for the hand of God over our lives, it would have been a totally different story. A narrative we probably wouldn’t even be alive to tell. We have gotten so comfortable with life itself that we tend to take the valuable things in our lives for granted because we think they are automatic, things like breathing. Though it may seem like it, our breath is not automatic, and people who are on life support and those who are on their deathbed would tell us what it really is because they have a better understanding of life. They would say that our breath is a gift from God through amazing grace. When we realize that the very reason we are still here is only by God’s mercy, then we’ll see life differently. We will appreciate life for what it truly is. We will stop being petty; we will complain less about what we don’t have and start appreciating the things we do have. We will forgive quicker; we will love and laugh more.
When we go through life knowing that God is the giver of life and we are the beneficiaries. We’ll be more aware of God’s love and presence daily. Thus, our worship will also change, which helps us build a stronger relationship with God. There is nothing more encouraging to a friend than when you show them your gratitude for the simplest thing they do. This will make him want to give you more and do more. And God is no different because we were created in His likeness.
I also believe that it will be difficult to look down on others when we live with a grateful heart. We get prideful when we forget our own need for God. The Bible says in Matthew 5: 3, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Here Jesus is not saying that to be a good Christian, we have to see ourselves as someone with no value or low self-esteem. But He wants us to recognize our sinful nature and our complete dependence on Him to be saved and sanctified. We have to remember that we are living on borrowed strength and body (John 3:16, Luke 22:19), and without Christ, we cannot do anything. And the verse says, to such people, the kingdom of heaven is theirs. Notice how Jesus said the kingdom is theirs, which also means that He does not hold anything back from them. This is what we experience when we are grateful for what He’s done, knowing that if it wasn’t for His grace (i.e., when He gives us what we don’t deserve) and His mercy (i.e., when He spares us from what we deserve), none of us would be here today. Think about it: if God didn’t send Jesus to save us from sin and decided to let us experience the wages of sin, which is death as soon as we miss the mark, none of us would have been born.
Though I am not perfect, and I need Jesus daily, I try not to live my life foolishly so I won’t have too many messes to ask God to help me clean up. That doesn’t mean I have not done any foolish things in my life. But now, I have a better understanding of how fragile and short life is. Each time I see a young person or even an older person lifeless in a casket, I know that life is not a game and time isn’t my friend. I start reflecting on my relationship with God and the areas where I am unaligned with His will for my life.
If you are reading this, my goal is not to make you feel afraid but to make you more aware of God’s presence in your life. Our heavenly Father showers us with grace and mercy daily. So, it’s time for us to recognize who our Source is and where our help and strength come from. Also, to know that all that we are and have come from Him. Thus, let us glorify the name of the Lord for who He is in our lives.
Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord! Psalm 150:6
SCRIPTURES
“For it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.” Philippians 2:13
“I am the Vine; and you are the branches. If you remain in Me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from Me, you can do nothing.” John 15:5
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