You really don’t appreciate what you have until it’s gone.
I remember once a year or so ago Ryan had come to eat lunch with me at my work, and afterwards I walked him to the office door. We hugged goodbye and in the middle of our hug a woman opened the door, saw us, and told us to get in as many hugs as we can now. Her husband had passed away, and she wished she could hug him again. That moment, and what she said, has stuck with both of us. And every now and then when we hug, we remember her, and we hug a little tighter.
How often do we hug or say goodbye to our spouse or loved one and truly appreciate that brief moment of togetherness? Like so many other things in life we tend to take for granted those everyday occurrences. Has God fallen into that category too? There is an extensive history in the Bible of God’s people almost constantly turning away from Him (example Jeremiah 2). Once the Lord saves Israel from their enemies for some reason they turn away from Him. Perhaps they think they no longer need God or that they don’t need to be told which God to serve. The “we can do this ourselves” or “we know better” attitude which of course stems from what? Pride. I know that when I have that attitude I’m not focusing on God; I’m focusing on me. Instead of thinking, “I can do this by myself” maybe I should be praising God saying, “Thank you Lord for the abilities You have blessed me with. Please help me to do Your will and the tasks set before me.”
The apostle Paul said, “…I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:11-13). The Lord wants us to succeed! Paul said I can do ALL things through Christ. Our ability to withstand ANY sin or do ANY good work is rooted in God. “…If God is for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31). The moment our appreciation changes to self-assurance… that is a dangerous moment. We are opening the door to the devil, and he is rather skinny; he only needs a small crack to get in. Without God we cannot withstand the tide of evil that will batter our door.
Paul says he is “content.” How could Paul be content when he is hungry or in a damp prison in lots of pain? Because His appreciation of what Jesus has done outweighs his current predicament. Yesterday at work I almost fell off my little knee scooter trying to get paper into the copy machine. What a simple task. But when your scooter blocks cabinet doors and paper loading trays it becomes a challenge. My appreciation for my foot surgeon fell far from my view. My current pain and frustration blocked my view of the relief from pain and the ability to exercise again that I hope to have after I heal. I also forgot my appreciation for even having the knee scooter! What a blessing it has been during my recovery! My doctor told me the healing process would be painful. Jesus said, “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).
Whatever life throws at us, let us remember to keep our eyes on Jesus and His desire for us to be with Him for eternity. Our appreciation for what He has done will cover over any distress we have in this life. The Lord might not miraculously heal our hurt feet but He will provide good doctors and helpful knee scooters to bless us along the way if only we will appreciate His blessings. As Paul, may we be content in all things.