Since it’s spring break I took the afternoon off to go fishing with one of my daughters and her kiddos. It was a beautiful afternoon. We all had our fishing equipment and we tried several spots around the lake. My daughter caught a nice bass. She cast out, almost hit the walkway with the lure, jerked it into the water and boom she retrieved her prize! No one else caught a fish, nor did we even get a bite.
Did the day turn sour? Did the sun quit shining? Did we run home with disappointment and agitation that she was the only “lucky” one? Of course not! The day was still beautiful and we still laughed and had a wonderful time!
Oh beloved, it’s time to get our eyes off other people’s successes and focus on the Lord. There’s nothing more lovely and enjoyable than giving the day to Him. You aren’t lessened by others’ blessings. Your life is blessed by virtue of your position in Christ not by the size of your fish catch or your bank account or the number on your scales. And when it’s your time, in God’s time, you too will reel in something wonderful. It won’t come while you are striving or griping or wishing your life away. It will come in the middle of your ordinary, grace filled, praise giving day. And most of the time, beloved, God’s presents come without your merit, status or work for it. It’s all with His Presence – the overwhelming, never ending, gracious, merciful presence of the Spirit of the Only Living God!
God loves you and He’s for you. So stop sulking beloved. (I can say this because we all have sulked at one time or another). Stop wishing for something else, when God gives you nothing less than His best. Stop comparing your weakness and struggles with life in general. Instead, run to Him this morning, thank Him that He has stood by you, worked with you, pulled you out of the fire, and given you new mercies every single day. Praise Him for the gift of life itself and praise Him for what is on the way for you. And live, beloved, full of joyful anticipation that you are loved, cherished, taken care of and blessed beyond measure all the days of your life!
James 3: 17 “But the wisdom from above is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and good deeds. It shows no favoritism and is always sincere.”
Proverbs 14: 30 “A peaceful heart leads to a healthy body; jealousy is like cancer in the bones.”
Psalm 136: 1-2 “Give thanks to the Lord because He is good, because His mercy endures forever. Give thanks to the God of gods because His mercy endures forever.”
Proverbs 15: 13 “A joyful heart makes a cheerful countenance, but sorrow of the heart crushes the spirit.”
1 Corinthians 1: 9 “God, who has called you into fellowship with His Son Jesus Christ our Lord, is faithful”.