Sunday, November 25, 2007

Gratitude

Many days I feel like a citizen of the nation of Israel. I lived my life for 20+ years in service to myself and my sinful desires - I was in bondage to myself and to the ways of the world (my Egypt). God sent people into myself to teach me about who God was and who could deliver me from my Egypt (my Exodus). For a while I enjoyed my freedom, but pretty soon I found myself complaining about areas of my life; I found myself longing for my previous life of selfishness - I was no different than the Israelites grumbling to Moses about the lack of water, or food, or being sick of bread, or being sick of qual, or whatever. As God works to transform my life I still find myself at times grumbling to God rather than clinging to his faithfulness of the past and promises of the future. It's easy to rip on the Israelites, but I wonder how different I would have been. It's easy to rip on Adam and Eve, but I wonder if I would have been covered with fruit. It's easy to think about how good things were back in Egypt, forgetting about the slavery and bondage - but the truth is, we (I) were slaves and have no found freedom in our (my) deliverance. As we paint pictures of Egypt (copyright Sara Groves), let's make sure we remember the full picture.

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

I think I really needed to read this, Ihave been not so much outwardly complaining, but deep down inside feeling sorry for myself, Kelly and I have had a very rough year, been close to forclosure and utillity shut offs more then I would like to admit. But every time, out of the blue, "something" will happen to get our head up out of the water to take another breath. I know there is a reason God has kept me out of work for so long, but it is hard sometimes to remember that and keep doing His work, what ever it may be at whatever time it comes along. But I can honestly say that I Love Him and Trust in Him, and that gives me a sense of.........gratefullnes if you will.
Colin T.