I tried my best. I put my whole heart into it.
I sought God and followed him.
I didn’t give up despite the big barriers.
I kept my focus and kept going…
Only to hit hard times.
Ever noticed, how when you give your all,
all of a sudden, you somehow start to believe –
God should give his all too?
Silently, longingly and righteously you start to say things like:
“I did my part. Now, you better do yours.”
“You helped me through. Now bring me all the way.”
“You are giving me this? I have done good by you.”
Somehow, I believe my following, trusting and abiding with him DESERVES some sort of sundae with a cherry on top (don’t miss the hot fudge, God) – from him. That is the sticking point.
God’s blessings are not dictated by our demands.
God’s blessings are always good, but not always easy.
God’s blessings are given and not demanded.
God’s blessings are unearned and, often, unexpected.
Perhaps, God doesn’t always payback hard work,
because he wants to payout the better gift.
Think of Mary.
Just a young girl, did she ever expect an angel to visit her from high? Likely not. Blessing.
Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. Jesus. Lu. 1:30
Might she have thought having a baby, unwedded, was more of a curse than a blessing? Perhaps, but again it was a blessing.
You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. Lu. 1:31
Might she have been let down by the fact that ultimately Jesus was less great and more humble? He was a King nailed up against a cross. Still – a blessing.
He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High…his kingdom will never end. Lu. 1:32
What we see as unusual, unwanted and often unwarranted –
are often unknown blessings in the process of being baked to done.
Done to the point where:
- Things spiritual are cemented forever. Jesus reigns over earthly forever.
- Wars are won as people are pressed against difficult. Jesus proclaims it is finished – man will be saved from themselves.
- Things of darkness are trampled on. Jesus put everything underneath his feet; he stands above it all.
- Lives are saved. The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many. Mt. 20:28
- God is glorified. Jesus cried out in a loud voice, Father, into my hands I commend my spirit. Mt. 23:46
- You are changed. Whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked. 1 Jo. 2:6
Blessings can look like nails. They can also feel like crosses being carried. Yet, at the end of the day, what springs forth from the winter of cold agony is the warmth of new Spring – overflowing with Christ’s majesty and strength.
The LORD reigns, He is clothed with majesty; The LORD has clothed and girded Himself with strength; Indeed, the world is firmly established, it will not be moved. Ps. 93:1
The cross was an unusual, often unwanted and unwarranted (for a perfect lamb), but it was a blessing that would change the tides of the earth forever.
As Mary’s love was being nailed to the cross, as he cried out as and as she likely wondered why it all had to lead to this – she was being blessed.
What seems to be nailing you? Might it actually be blessing you?
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A powerful blog post. Thank you.
What’s nailing me? Interesting twist on that. Christmas blessings!
Loved this lesson. Even before I was a Christ follower, I would always tell my children to look for the silver lining in our hardships. I guess He was preparing me to truly understand that He brings beauty from pain. Joining you today from #coffeeforyourheart!
Thank you for the beautifully wrapped gift of timely words. I woke this morning struggly with lingering thoughts from an event that I attend the prior evening and you know what? It turns out that the “lingering thoughts” are really blessings in disguise. As the Word says, “the truth will set you free”, indeed it has. Merry Christmas!
This is such an encouraging reminder, Kelly. Thank you. I especially love this – “What we see as unusual, unwanted and often unwarranted – are often unknown blessings in the process of being baked to done.” Especially in light of how Jesus suffered for us so we might have blessings. May God fill your heart with His love and peace this Christmas and in the New Year!
Kelly,
I agree with everything you said, but I’m struggling… My wife passed away in April at age 48 and I’m having real trouble seeing the blessing(s) in it. Yes, two people regained their sight because she signed the form to donate her eyes and five souls responded to the invitation to receive Christ at her funeral, but I’m still devastated… The pain is intense at times. This Christmas season has been horrible for me. So far, I don’t see the blessing for me and have trouble envisioning it… Perhaps there are nails too large to produce blessings, or to painful to allow the realization of those blessings…
Yes Paul, sometimes it is quiet time spent with God, knowing that he sees – that heals. Be not discouraged. You are okay to feel as you feel; God will still love as he loves. Stay with him and you won’t go wrong. I am praying for you right now.