Rejoicing in His Gifts
I remember shaking my head when someone shared about how they compared themselves to others. It may have been something like, "Her crafts are beautiful. I would never have the skill or patience to do anything like that." or " Their children are so well behaved. Our children are nothing like that." Although I know many people who do this regularly, I can say this is something I only do rarely, if ever. Everyone has their own strengths and weaknesses and so why should I waste time woefully comparing myself to others.
Recently I was watching an episode of the Hoarders. Just walking across one of these rooms could qualify as an obstacle course of great danger. The refrigerator hides "food" of amazing colors and textures, difficult if not impossible to identify. My first thought as I view one of these shows is they are so much worse than I ever could be. How could they allow themselves to get in such a state. I know I would never be that bad.
Ever since the beginning of the Biggest Loser, I have dipped into that show on a regular basis. Although many of the challenges the contestants have to face, I would never dream of doing, I also can not imagine getting to their size. Sure I need to lose 30 pounds but a lot of these people need to lose well over a hundred pounds.
No, I never compare myself to others. Ha. I had better think again before I make a statement like that. Others may make comparisons that show themselves to be lacking in various talents or attributes. I make comparisons that minimize my sin in light of the sin of others. "I may gossip from time to time, but I'm certainly not as bad as these women I know." " I may get angry occasionally but I'm not like this person. He's always losing it"
Both types of comparisons highlight our attempt to reject what God has given us. Instead of rejoicing in the gifts God has given those I know, I use my awareness of their gifts as an opportunity to withhold thanksgiving to God for what He has built into my life. I may use this as a way to bemoan what seems like my meager gifts. If musically on a scale of 1 -10, I am a 5 and you are a 10, praise God. May I use my 5 to God's glory just as much you glorify God with your 10.
God shows grace to us when He clearly reveals to us the sin in our lives. One of the ways God does this is by helping us to focus on what seems to be a more extreme case of the same sin we need to be dealing with.
Whether it's cluttered drawers and closets, or rotting food in the fridge and moldy dishes in the sink, both people need to prayerfully consider what sins may be involved in their poor stewardship. Whether it's 30 pounds or 130, both people need to look carefully at their lack of discipline. Whether gossip is a daily activity or once a month, sin is sin and needs to be dealt with. I plead with myself as well as with each of my readers do not allow these moments to slip away. When you see the "bigger" sin in someone else and you have that brief moment when you see your own guilt, repent of your own sin and pray that the other person might see his sin and repent as well.
Our lives are full of gifts given to us by our gracious God. We are wise to pay attention and give Him the glory. Praise Him for the way He has gifted others, and the ways He has gifted you. Praise Him for not leaving us in our sin. Praise Him for one of his most marvelous gifts, the gift of repentance.
Recently I was watching an episode of the Hoarders. Just walking across one of these rooms could qualify as an obstacle course of great danger. The refrigerator hides "food" of amazing colors and textures, difficult if not impossible to identify. My first thought as I view one of these shows is they are so much worse than I ever could be. How could they allow themselves to get in such a state. I know I would never be that bad.
Ever since the beginning of the Biggest Loser, I have dipped into that show on a regular basis. Although many of the challenges the contestants have to face, I would never dream of doing, I also can not imagine getting to their size. Sure I need to lose 30 pounds but a lot of these people need to lose well over a hundred pounds.
No, I never compare myself to others. Ha. I had better think again before I make a statement like that. Others may make comparisons that show themselves to be lacking in various talents or attributes. I make comparisons that minimize my sin in light of the sin of others. "I may gossip from time to time, but I'm certainly not as bad as these women I know." " I may get angry occasionally but I'm not like this person. He's always losing it"
Both types of comparisons highlight our attempt to reject what God has given us. Instead of rejoicing in the gifts God has given those I know, I use my awareness of their gifts as an opportunity to withhold thanksgiving to God for what He has built into my life. I may use this as a way to bemoan what seems like my meager gifts. If musically on a scale of 1 -10, I am a 5 and you are a 10, praise God. May I use my 5 to God's glory just as much you glorify God with your 10.
God shows grace to us when He clearly reveals to us the sin in our lives. One of the ways God does this is by helping us to focus on what seems to be a more extreme case of the same sin we need to be dealing with.
Whether it's cluttered drawers and closets, or rotting food in the fridge and moldy dishes in the sink, both people need to prayerfully consider what sins may be involved in their poor stewardship. Whether it's 30 pounds or 130, both people need to look carefully at their lack of discipline. Whether gossip is a daily activity or once a month, sin is sin and needs to be dealt with. I plead with myself as well as with each of my readers do not allow these moments to slip away. When you see the "bigger" sin in someone else and you have that brief moment when you see your own guilt, repent of your own sin and pray that the other person might see his sin and repent as well.
Our lives are full of gifts given to us by our gracious God. We are wise to pay attention and give Him the glory. Praise Him for the way He has gifted others, and the ways He has gifted you. Praise Him for not leaving us in our sin. Praise Him for one of his most marvelous gifts, the gift of repentance.
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