When "Thank You" Is Enough
I have a friend that is so sweet and generous that she makes me want to be a sweeter and more generous person. We never know when she'll show up bearing gifts of any kind and they're always amazing and things I absolutely love! I wrack my brain to think of something I can do to return the kindness she shows me and my family. I hoard her dishes so that they can be returned with something in them...but what!?
During the Old Testament, sacrifices were common. In order to cleanse one for the sins and wrongdoings that they committed against God, the best animal from the herd was sacrificed as a burnt offering. (Numbers 15)
Eventually, God grew tired of all that and sent Jesus to be sacrificed once and for all. Thus, all our sins can be forgiven just by asking. However, it's not exactly all that easy.
Imagine raising an animal. The time and effort to keep them safe, healthy and fed. Then, picking out the best one, taking it to an alter, killing it then burning it. That would be a big deal because you could have sold it for money enough to feed your family for a long time or pay a bill even. Plus, there's the effort of making an alter and the mess of the whole thing and making sure each step was done correctly. It was probably hard to watch and smelly. Something you'd not soon forget.
Now days, we just need to realize that we are all sinners, confess that fact, realize that Jesus sacrificed His SELF for us, and ask Him to come into our heart and life. Still sounds easy...
If you read the book of Matthew, you can see how hard it can be for some to admit they're wrong, give up their sinful ways, trust that Jesus is who He says He is and finally...comprehend the sacrifice, and follow Him.
Once you wrap your mind around all that He did for you, you'll probably want to thank him! The great news is, you don't have to return the favor. There's no need to figure out an appropriate gift to give in return; something useful and not just a trinket. All you have to do is say, "Thank you". After you've accepted Him into your heart, you've given Him all He really desires. Naturally you will continue to have the desire to give back as He blesses you over and over again. Your heart will change and you will want to learn more about Him. You'll want to be more like Him because it makes YOU happy, not to mention how happy it makes Him!
My friend doesn't require, nor would she expect anything in her dishes when I finally give them back to her. For now, it's comforting to know that "Thank you" is just fine. Her continued generosity makes me want to be more giving. Not only to her, but also to others. We all have different giftings, and thank goodness for that or we'd all be doing and giving the same things back and forth. So, although I'm not inclined to bake or shop, I can do other things in gratitude like pray, give my time and wait for opportunity to return the favor in a way that will bless her. I'm prayerfully seeking and waiting for that. I'm also praying and waiting for everyone to wake up and accept the sacrifice that has been made for their salvation...that's when I know for sure we can all go home where we belong.
1 Thessalonians 1:8-10 "For from you sounded out the word of the Lord not only in Macedonia and Achaia but also in every place your faith to God-ward is spread abroad; so that we need not speak any thing. (9)For they themselves shew of us what manner of entering in we had unto you, and how ye turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God; (10)And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come."
Thank you Lord for your Word. The lessons and teachings that fill it and the way it applies to our lives every day. Thank you for loving me more than I can fathom.
