This year I’ve been most thankful for God giving me so many opportunities to know and serve Him better. It was only recently that I really noticed God’s blessings in those areas. I started the year with a list of desires I planned to pray for regularly. While I asked for God’s will to be done with each request, ultimately most were more physical than spiritual.
The story of my year has been how God has really satisfied my spiritual desires that I had been praying about in years past, overlooked or newly developed through time in His Word. As the year went on, I really noticed that some of the physical needs I had prayed most fervently for were requests I had not fully given Him. Those prayers were not being answered with a “yes,” but instead (for lack of a better description) a “no” or “wait.” But the spiritual desires have all been met with a resounding “YES”— and then some!
A big boon has been the chance to use so many of my passions in ministry. A few are representing purity in Christ; using my love of writing to help communicate messages in church; and preparing to work with teen girls. I’ve really felt that He’s brought those opportunities directly to me as a result of seeking Him!
Another blessing has been just a growing appetite for His Knowledge. I’ve spent far more meaningful time meditating on His Word through messages and other resources that speak directly to areas I have prayed to grow in—or just be encouraged. One example that stands out most was one day when I prayed, “Lord, I really want to listen to a great message series on purity.” At the time I really didn’t know why I was so set on finding one; it seemed I had no want of resources in that area. But that very same day I "discovered" a link to an amazing series that has really put my existing commitment to purity in a context that I had overlooked, but needed to understand. Seeking Him has really been this gift that keeps on giving; every answer to a spiritual request has left me so much more full than the physical ones!
The link between my desires and The Christmas Story was magnified earlier this week at a service I attended (which has another background story about God meeting a spiritual hunger!). One of the main points was that Christmas—and our walks with God as Christians—is not the story of us pursuing God, but God pursuing us. A desire to know Him better isn’t the result of our initiative or any good thing that we’ve done. It’s about The Lord of Glory, coming down as a baby to walk this sod--a common man--die for us, and then leave His Spirit to guide us. Beginning with the act of His birth, he turned our brand of righteousness—religious “goodwill,” on its head. He said we should seek our spiritual needs before our physical (and watch Him meet the physical). He said to be first, we have to be last. He said we should love even the people who hate us. He said that in order for us to experience true life, we have to deny ourselves everything this world has. But the beauty is, when we allow ourselves to be found by Him as He pursues us, we get so much more in return!
I am so thankful that following Christ is such a daily adventure—one that provides the abundant life Jesus spoke of in John 10:10. There is nothing more rewarding than following Jesus!
In 2 Corinthians 9:15 the Apostle Paul sums up the gift of grace in a way that wraps Thanksgiving up in Christmas. It merits a look in several versions:
“Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift.” (KJV)“Lamb of God,” a song by Nicole C. Mullen, describes how we can give God thanks for His gift at Christmas (Here’s the full song ):
“Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!” (NIV; NKJV; NASB)
“Thank God for this gift too wonderful for words!” (NLT)
Oh Lamb of God, Oh Prince of PeaceLet’s worship The Christ who gave all for us-—at Thanksgiving, Christmas and always!
What tribute shall I bring to worship Thee?
I have no gold to lay at your feet
So Lamb of God, I offer me.
