Recently, I was thinking about how much the words, "I appreciate you" can mean. Sometimes, we feel as though others don't notice the things we do. In those times, we have to remember that our labor is for The Lord and not for people (Col. 3:17, Gal. 1:10). We know that when our labor is for The Lord, we never labor in vain (1 Cor. 15:58). We can also rely on Him for encouragement by asking Him to provide it and allowing Him to choose the source. I put this into practice recently and was amazed how He brought it.
Think about the pastor of your church. People always go to their pastors when they need prayer or counsel (nothing wrong with that- they are there to help you), but who is there for the pastors and their families when they need support? Many in ministry positions can feel unappreciated. As I was pondering on this, I had a thought that stopped me in my tracks: "How does God feel?"
There are people whom God created that ignore His presence daily and some, even His existence. People who acknowledge Him on Sunday but deny Him Monday-Saturday. People who honor Him with their lips but their hearts are far from Him (people who claim to know Him but live like they don't - See Isaiah 19:13, Matt. 15:8). People who run to God only when they have a problem or need something. Think how unappreciated He must feel. We all have so much to be thankful for. If the only thing God ever did for you was send Jesus to the cross so that we can be reconciled to God through Him and saved from eternity in hell (If you choose to accept this freely offered gift, repent & turn from sin you can be saved)-- that would be more than enough. But God is so full of love for us that He went beyond that (GOD IS LOVE). Jesus took our sicknesses and removed our diseases (See Matt. 8:27, NLT). God feeds us, clothes us, guides us. He gave us a Comforter, Counselor, Intercessor by giving us the Holy Spirit (See John 14:26, AMP) He invites us and eagerly waits for us to dive into a personal relationship with Him. He longs for you to go deeper with Him and give up those things which separate you from Him or hinder you from getting closer to Him. How many car accidents has a He kept you from having? How many times has He soared your life? How many times has He kept you from danger you were unaware of?
Next time you feel unappreciated, think how God must feel. That question totally wrecked me. Take time today to let God know you appreciate Him. He wants to be your EVERYTHING. He wants to fill every void. Thank Him for everything He does for you, everything He has given you, & simply for who He is. Here are some things to be thankful for that are often taken for granted: food & choices of what to eat, clean water, central heating & air conditioning, a vehicle, ac/heat in your vehicle, a home of your own, clothing, electricity, etc. I could go on and on, but many of the things we consider "basic needs" are things some people are doing without!
Spend time with God daily in prayer and in His Word. As you begin your prayer time daily, begin with thanksgiving! :)
Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name.
- Psalm 100:4 (NIV)
Thank Him from the bottom of your heart for everything, but most of all for sending His only Son.
Rachel Marie
