Ok. Here’s my disclaimer. I’m in no way pointing a finger at anyone. If I were going to, it would be me. I’ve just noticed a lot more lately that the disease of humanity seems to be getting worse. Maybe it’s that I’m getting older and I seem to have more of an eye for detail. Who knows? We’re all afflicted so there’s no way around it. If it were not for the amazing grace of Jesus, we would all fall permanently prey to the consequences of the human condition. Thank God He saw fit to rescue us from us. Sometimes we need to take a little trip down memory lane and remember where we came from. 

This is what the Bible has to say about us before we knew Christ as Lord. “In those days you were living apart from Christ. You were excluded from citizenship among the people of Israel, and you did not know the covenant promises God had made to them. You lived in this world without God and without hope. But now you have been united with Christ Jesus. Once you were far away from God, but now you have been brought near to him through the blood of Christ.” (‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭2‬:‭12‬-‭13‬ ‭NLT‬‬) We once lived without God and without hope. How awful to think of living that way. Can you imagine a world with absolutely no hope? There would be nowhere to run to for refuge. You’d be totally on your own surrounded by others trying to navigate unknown territory as well. The tragedy exceeds anything I can think of. What would you do? But God sent Hope in the form of a person. Jesus came to do the unthinkable and He did it all for humanity! This alone is enough. If He never did one more thing for us, this is enough! But we serve a God of more than enough. He blesses us every day and I am completely guilty of not giving proper gratitude. 

We have never and can never “do” anything to earn His favor. He just freely gives it to us. “Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it.” (‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭2‬:‭9‬ ‭NLT‬‬) Oh how easy it is to get complacent in this life and forget that He paid our way. There’s no way we can repay Him. No amount of anything we possess could do this free gift proper justice. He just wants our hearts to be devoted to Him. He wants to be the One we run to because we acknowledge that there is no other way. “The name of the Lord is a strong fortress; the godly run to him and are safe.” ‭‭(Proverbs‬ ‭18‬:‭10‬ ‭NLT)‬‬ Safety, peace, security and perfect love can be found nowhere else. We cannot forget what He’s done. 

Sometimes when things aren’t exactly going our way, we tend to get a little bitter and not acknowledge all of the wonderful things God has done for us in the past. Since He never changes, what has? Obviously it’s our perspective. Do we forget that He is God and the trials in life strengthen us into the people fit for His kingdom? “These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world.” (‭‭1 Peter‬ ‭1‬:‭7‬ ‭NLT‬‬) Notice the above scripture says “many trials”? He never promised us a trouble free life. Will you trust Him even when things seem to make no sense? Do you believe that He truly has your best interest at heart? How easily we seem to forget all of His provision when times get tough. He’s always with you. He never abandons you. 

Take some time and reflect on all the goodness He’s poured out on you. Remember the times that He got you through when it seemed as if there was no way. Imagine where you’d be in life if He didn’t come through on your behalf. As human beings, we like things to be predictable. We like to be comfortable. God is not always as concerned about our comfort as He is our character. He’s the same God in the valley as He is on the mountain top. He is our everything. Let’s be a people of gratitude in remembering all that He’s done. You will shine brightly in a world of forgetfulness.

Today’s writer is Brandi Crowe. A hairdresser for over 25 years, she is currently the owner of Brandi Crowe salon in Buford, GA. She loves hiking, a good cup of coffee, and spending time with family and friends. Brandi lives in a custom farmhouse with her husband Robby and cat Harold.