As I was preparing for this morning’s devotional entry, I began to think of the condition of my car – this incredible gift from God that I’ve been allowed to use for the past three years – and wondered how many other blessings from God that I had allowed to come into such a state. When we begin to see the things that we have not as items that we’ve purchased but as gifts from our Heavenly Father, it immediately changes our perceptions. Again, the apostle Paul wrote, Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content (Philippians 4:11) and Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee (Hebrews 13:5). How many times have the blinders of discontentment kept us from clearly seeing the ever-providing and loving hand of God in our lives? I think back to the day I drove the Taurus off the lot and I remember the comments I made; instead of thanking God for the car, I said “At least it has a sunroof and a CD player.” Looking back now, I clearly see that not only did God give me a car within the budget and that met my needs but he also provided for some of my wants!
For those of you who are wondering why I chose to write about my car this morning, all I can do is to tell you I share in these devotionals what the Holy Spirit has laid on my heart. This morning, as I was spending time with my Heavenly Father and Savior in his word and in prayer, I began to thank him for the other blessings in my life that I have treated with such great indifference and discontented. I live in an older apartment complex in Henderson that many people within my area will tell you that it has a less than stellar reputation. It is, however, God’s provision for where I live. It has all the things that my family and I need and it even has a few extra comforts that we wanted. Again, the condition I had let it deteriorate into – dust on the bookshelves, clutter all around, spider webs in the corners, and the dirty windows, again showed my discontentment and indifference to God’s provision for my life. I often wonder if the parable about the talents can be applied to this area of my life: And it came to pass, that when he was returned, having received the kingdom, then he commanded these servants to be called unto him, to whom he had given the money, that he might know how much every man had gained by trading. Then came the first, saying, Lord, thy pound hath gained ten pounds. And he said unto him, Well, thou good servant: because thou hast been faithful in a very little, have thou authority over ten cities. And the second came, saying, Lord, thy pound hath gained five pounds. And another came, saying, Lord, behold, here is thy pound, which I have kept laid up in a napkin: For I feared thee, because thou art an austere man: thou takest up that thou layedst not down, and reapest that thou didst not sow (Luke 19:15-21).
Since becoming a Christian, I have always heard that passage of scripture refer to our spiritual gifts and the talents we have. I have heard a number of fine sermons given by men I consider as spiritual giants where the admonishment has always been given that we are to use our gifts and talents that God has given us to further the glory of God; but what if the application of this passage does not stop there? This morning I began to wonder what if it includes the blessings that God has given us to meet our needs? Do we hold them with an attitude of indifference that we wrap them in a napkin and don’t do anything with them? Do we “invest” them for the sake of our heavenly rewards? I began to think of all the things I have been given to meet my needs and how, through a combination of indifference and discontentment, took them for granted. The apartment I now have could be used to further God’s glory within the apartment complex only IF I will listen to his leading. My car, which meets my transportation needs, could also be used to carry those who need rides to and from church or the grocery store, if I only make myself available to be used of God.
I think of this past Christmas with my three-year old daughter and wonder of God sees my attitude in a similar way. We’ve invested our time and our efforts to find the “perfect” gift. Maybe we’ve built ourselves up by imagining the smiles, the “this is what I’ve always wanted…”, the “thanks for the gift,” a hug, or maybe even a quick kiss on a cheek and squeals of excitement. As the child opens the gift, in our disappointment (and sometimes horror) we are asked “are there anymore presents for me?” It’s a sobering thought that I hope I do not forget anytime soon.
