Being Content

The Preponderance of Provision


It’s easy to think about all that we don’t have. Maybe this is because we live in a consumer culture; maybe because this is just human nature, but whatever the cause, it doesn’t take long for people to list the things that they don’t have that they wish they did. In fact, for most of us reading this blog, if someone during the holiday season asks for our wish list, any amount of time that it takes us to deliver it is usually because of what we choose to leave off, not because we are lacking in desires.

One of the many amazing things about God, however, is that He never leaves us in this state of want. In fact, He always provides more than enough for what we need. Sure it doesn’t always feel this way; sometimes it feels like we are lacking the right resources, opportunities or options to pursue a certain course, but in fact, God promises that this is not the case. He is actively pursuing our good (Rom. 8:28), not based on how we define it, but based on what is truly good. That is why Scripture teaches us not to worry about what we have or what we don’t – God already knows what is needed, and He will provide (See Luke 12:29-31).

However, its not just in our day to day lives that the magnanimous nature of our God is displayed. In fact, the best example of the preponderance of His provision is illustrated in His Son’s death on the cross. Not only did Christ’s sacrifice provide payment for the sins I’ve committed, but His goodness, His righteousness, is put on my account (See Romans 4:6-8). In other words, not only is our debt erased, but when God looks at us, He sees all of the “credit” that Christ obtained. Our account is not at a “zero” balance, but instead, from God’s perspective, it has all the riches of Christ’s righteousness.

This isn’t to say that we have nothing left to offer. In return for the riches of His provision, God asks us to lead a life that’s pleasing Him. All things considered, it seems a small price to pay.

(This post was inspired, in part, by Dr. Mike Fabarez’s message titled “The Gospel According to Abraham – Part 2” which you can find here)

Continue Reading

Relationships

How My Parents Made a Difference

It’s rare that I use this space to reflect on personal things. Or more correctly, it’s rare that I’m personal in my reflections. However, every once in a while I break this rule, and this is one of those occasions.

The reason for this departure from the norm isn’t all that earth-shattering. It’s just that throughout this week, I’ve frequently been reminded of how grateful I am for my parents. For those of you who don’t know them, let me start off by just saying – they’re great. It’s an undeniable fact that my mom and dad are just truly outstanding people. And that’s a good enough reason by itself to be grateful for their presence. However, it’s not just their sheer remarkableness that has me writing about them today. You see, not only are my parents great people, they are exceptional parents and that’s a distinction that’s often lost today. For not only did my parents model and exemplify what it meant to be a follower of Christ by how they lived their lives, but they followed Him in the way that they parented me. And for this fact, no amount of gratitude is sufficient.

You might wonder how it’s possible to not only live a life for Christ, but to parent as Christ would parent and I think that’s a fair question. My response is simple, although enacting it is complex. There are two things that are always paramount in my mind when I think of how my parents raised me. First – I always knew they loved me, and I always knew that if I went against their directions, there would be consequences. That may seem counterculture in today’s world, but it wasn’t in my parents’ home. Regardless of how they punished me, it never diminished my understanding of their love. And because of how much they loved me, they never shied away from correcting my misbehavior.

The second thing that my parents did is that they prayed for me. Just like Christ intercedes for His children, so my parents did for me and my sister. Even as a child I knew this. And even as an adult, I don’t think I can comprehend the power of those prayers. I’m confident that I am who I am today primarily because of the time they spent lifting me up to our Father, but only heaven will reveal the full return on that investment.

My mom once told me that her and my dad used to say that God was raising us and the truth is, she was right. I’m confident that the omnipotent Father had plans for our lives and that regardless of what my parents did, He would bring them to completion. However, the manner in which my parents raised us not only provided a great example of God’s love, but they prepared us to receive the direction He would provide. John Wesley’s mother is said to have spent hours daily praying for her kids. And at least two of them (John and Charles) are still notably impacting the Church today.

On this side of heaven, my parents may never receive the acclaim that’s now afforded to Susanna Wesley, but I know that they will be rewarded on the other side. And I know that the only praise that will be louder than mine will the words of our Savior acknowledging their faithfulness and a job well done.

Continue Reading