As the name of my blog indicates, I spend a lot of time thinking about home. Of course, my Heavenly Home is the one that is eternal, so that’s where I need to lay up my treasures, and that’s the one I’m striving for. But in the meantime, I have been given this tiny piece of the here-and-now—this home on the edge of town, this family, this neighborhood—in which to serve Him. And, though this is in the earthly realm, I want the things that happen here to be investments in the Heavenly realm.




Thursday, November 20, 2014

Entitlement vs. Gratitude




Reposting...because I always need to be reminded...



For years, I have kept this quoted passage tucked within the pages of my Bible. I can't even remember where I first found it. I only know that it pierced my heart so deeply that I wanted to keep it near, to be able to read it again and again and again. My human heart is so prone to complaining; yet I know that it should be filled only with gratitude. So when I find myself murmuring, I return to this place of eternal perspective and fall on His mercy. Lord, forgive me for forgetting your amazing grace.


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Our culture is riddled with a poisonous spirit of entitlement. We always think we deserve more. We’re disappointed with our family, our neighbors, church, the waitress, the sales clerk, and the department of motor vehicles. Ultimately, we’re disappointed with God. He hasn’t given us everything we want.
What madness! If only we could see our situation clearly—even for a moment. We deserved expulsion; He gives us a diploma. We deserved the electric chair; He gives us a parade. Anything less than overwhelming gratitude should be unthinkable. He owes us nothing. We owe Him everything. When you realize you deserve nothing better than hell, it puts a “bad day” in perspective, doesn’t it?
Christians in Sudan—who’ve suffered unspeakably for their faith—are deeply grateful for God’s daily blessings. But us? We whine and pout.
Thankfulness should draw a clear line between us and a Christless world. If the same spirit of entitlement and ingratitude that characterizes our culture characterizes us, what do we have to offer?
If I grasp that I deserve hell, I’ll be filled with gratitude not only for God’s huge blessings—including my redemption and home in heaven—but also for His smaller blessings: sun, rain, a beating heart, eyes that see, legs that walk, a mind that thinks...And because Christ allowed Himself to be crushed under the weight of my sin, I’ll enjoy forever a clear mind and a perfect body...Never believe anything about yourself or God that makes His grace to you seem anything less than astonishing. Because that’s exactly what it is.
~Randy Alcorn, The Grace and Truth Paradox, Multnomah Publishers 2003, pp. 33-35

10 comments:

  1. Ouch. And true. Randy Alcorn...how do I know that name? Must do some research...

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  2. I like your wreath. And a good one to repost. Thanks.

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  3. So good to read right now. Thanks for reposting...

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  4. Wow...what an awesome reminder of what I already know to be true. How easy it is for me to take my blessings for granted...shame on me. Thank you for the re-post and yes, your wreath IS lovely :)

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  5. A great lesson on gratitude. It is so easy to forget to notice just how blessed we are! Something I really try to emphasize.

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  6. So so good. Thank you. I stand amazed still He called this wretch to Himself, and yet, i go and forget and whine or complain. He is so so good and patient with His children. Thank you so much for this beautiful reminder. tammyp

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  7. This is so good. We are blessed.

    I am going to share it on my FB if that's okay with you!

    Deanna

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  8. Vee said it first but it's what came to my mind...ouch.
    But, thank you for the reminder.

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  9. Which of us isn't guilty of this? Such a good reminder, and all SOO very true! I can see why it has found a place in your Bible, and has had such an effect. Thanks for sharing with us!

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  10. I've often thought that the attitude of "I deserve" is one of the most destructive attitudes a Christian can have. A struggle for most of us...

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