I recently filled in as a long-term substitute for a teacher absent for eight weeks on maternity leave. During the beginning of my stay, I was heralded as the “new teacher”. The students acted excited about my presence, and I was thankful for their attentiveness and respect. As the weeks wore on though, I began to sense a subtle change. I was becoming all too familiar to them, and, at times, I sensed them tuning me out.
Sometimes, I feel like that is how I am with Jesus. Because He is so familiar, I don’t give him the honor he really deserves. In Mark 6:4, Jesus told the people of his home community of Nazareth, “A prophet is not without honour, but in his own country and among his own kin, and in his own house.” This scripture recently caused me to examine my heart with new eyes. Am I like those of Nazareth? Do I overlook His greatness because He’s always been here?
Do I show gratefulness to the One who forgave my sin?
If I’m truly honest with myself, I don’t think I always have. Because of being raised in a Christian home and hearing God’s Word all of my life, becoming a child of God was something I had always desired. At the age of 17, I answered God’s call. As a new believer, I didn’t realize the full seriousness of the sin in my unconverted life. Because I had always tried to obey my parents and make wise choices, I had the attitude that I was basically a “good girl”, not all that bad. I am humbled to admit that it took years for me to recognize the full impact of pride in my life and how that very sin put Jesus on the cross. I am humbled by the woman in Luke 7 who showed such great appreciation to the One who forgave her of sin. She recognized the blackness of her sin against the holiness of Christ and she could not help but show her devotion.
“Seest thou this woman? I entered into thine house, thou gavest me no water for my feet: but she hath washed my feet with tears, and wiped them with the hairs of her head. Thou gavest me no kiss: but this woman since the time I came in hath not ceased to kiss my feet. My head with oil thou didst not anoint: but this woman hath anointed my feet with ointment. Wherefore I say unto thee, Her sins, which are many are forgiven; for she loved much; but to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little.” Luke 7:44-47
Do I fully appreciate His great sacrifice?
In this era of “entitlement”, do I feel entitled to all that Jesus has done for me, or do I fully appreciate his unparalleled submission? He set aside his right to glory and honor and power when He submitted to His Father’s will and left heaven for a season to live life on this earth as a man. He then died on the cross as a cursed man, taking on all of our shame. He didn’t have to do this, but He did this because of His great love for each one of us.
“But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: and being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” Philippians 2:7-11
Am I quick to offer Him my sacrifice of praise?
Not always! Sometimes in the everyday moments of frustration or unmet expectations, the words out of my mouth are words of anger, complaint, or worry rather than praise.
Jesus said… “But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart;
and they defile the man.” Matthew 15:18
It is easy to praise Him when I feel God’s many blessings. What about the times when my heart is heavy, when there is pain, or when others disappoint me? What about the times when I don’t even notice the everyday blessings that have always been there? Do I continue to offer Him my sacrifice of praise? Jesus desires my continual praise and worship, despite my circumstances.
“By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.” Hebrews 13:15
My prayer for each of us is that we will not become numbed by our familiarity with Jesus, but that we can wake each morning with a heart full of gratitude, ready to worship our Lord with fresh new eyes wherever our circumstances may find us!
Lori is thankful to have been raised as a Kansas farm girl! She is currently a child of The King, wife of a Kansas farmer, mother of three, and grandmother of three. She loves Supper Songs, substitute teaching, and spending time with her family. Her interests are varied. On any given day you might find her helping on the farm, gardening, writing, teaching, cooking, grand-parenting, or participating in Bible studies! Two of her favorite Bible verses are— Lamentations 3:22-23 “It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning; great is thy faithfulness.”
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