#322 RECOGNIZING REALITY 19-23-26
Wherever we are, that is where we are. We need to learn some things about life and come to terms with reality. All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes, but the Lord weighs the spirits (Proverbs 16:2). We often see things from our own perspective, but God sees the whole picture. It is God who tells us how we got here, what we are doing here, and where we are going. We need to remember three things.
OUR STATION
We are where we are, and God knows exactly where we are. He knew us before He formed us in the womb. Jeremiah 1:5 says, “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you.” Psalm 139:16 says that our days were written in God’s book before one of them came to be. We did not choose where we were born, what we would look like, or all the circumstances into which we entered this world. We are fearfully and wonderfully made by our Creator, created in His image and bearing the dignity that comes with being His creation. We need to learn to appreciate the life God has given us instead of spending our days wishing we had somebody else’s life. We may not understand every circumstance, but we can trust the God who knows us completely.
OUR STATUS
Not only have we been created, but we have been recreated in Christ. 2 Corinthians 5:17 declares that if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. God has given us new life through Jesus, and we have been raised to walk in newness of life (Romans 6:4). Our identity is not determined by our past failures, our possessions, our position, or the opinions of others. We belong to Christ. God has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ (Ephesians 1:3). We have received grace, forgiveness, and the opportunity to live a new life. We need to recognize what God has given us and learn to live in the reality of who we are in Jesus.
OUR STABILITY
Everything we have and everything we truly need comes from God. He has His hand upon us, and He walks with us through the difficulties of life. We will have problems, disappointments, and days when we cannot understand what is happening around us. But our stability is not found in favorable circumstances. It is found in Christ. We must learn to look beyond our problems and keep our eyes fixed on the Lord. Proverbs 3:5-6 tells us to trust in the Lord with all our heart and acknowledge Him in all our ways. Stay focused on God and the place He has given you to serve Him. Do not spend your life longing to be somewhere else or wishing you were someone else. Bloom where you were planted.
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Heavenly Father, help us to appreciate the life You have given us and the salvation You have provided through Jesus Christ. Help us to recognize Your hand upon us, remain faithful where You have placed us, and trust You through every circumstance. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
BDD
