It’s a rainy Saturday evening, and Sabbath quietly draws to a close. Sitting by the window, I observe a solitary blackbird scamper across the wet pavement and into the garden. The tree branches sway gently in the wind, and I savour this peaceful moment with a grateful heart. I am so blessed.
We truly have so many reasons to be thankful, more in fact than we even realise. Here I am, safe in my home. Spared the devastation of war, free from fear of persecution. Loved. Provided for.
I have experienced in life both blissful highs and gut-wrenching lows. This I can confidently say: that there is no greater blessing than God Himself.
Life can be wonderful, but in the grand scheme of things, it is also astonishingly brief. Without God, all we have is the here and now. I am not ungrateful for what I have now, but I long for the world that is coming. My God is my greatest Treasure. None of our material possessions will carry over at the conclusion of this life, but our relationship with our Creator is priceless. I am so thankful to know Him.
I am grateful for life itself, for many years ago I came dangerously close to losing mine. If you are reading this, then God has continued to fill your lungs with the breath of life, and He has not done so by accident. Is that not humbling?
With tears and trembling, I think of the sacrifice Jesus made on the cross. He didn’t have to do it. He didn’t need to submit to the abuse, bow His head and give up His breath. But love propelled Him.
How can such a display of unparalleled love not invoke the deepest gratitude? And if we allow ourselves to feel it, it will spill out of us, changing the way we live our day-to-day lives. It will empower us to forgive, to joyfully serve others, and to offer ourselves to God as living sacrifices.
I hope this has inspired you to ponder anew God’s great love for you, and that as you allow it to flood into your heart, you will once again (or perhaps for the first time) surrender yourself to Him. For one day soon we shall see Him face to face, and I know what my first words will be… “Thank you”.
“Look with wonder at the depth of the Father’s marvellous love that He has lavished on us! He has called us and made us his very own beloved children.”
1 John 3:1a TPT“Our love for others is our grateful response to the love God first demonstrated to us.”
1 John 4:19 TPT
WRITER: Stephanie Davies, attends Oasis SDA Church in Croydon, VIC.