Everywhere I turn lately, I hear God asking, “What did you do with what I gave you?” He is obviously trying to get my attention! I first heard this a few weeks ago from a Tuskegee Airman on Rick and Bubba. He was on there talking about the new movie about the TA and he revealed the similarities and differences between the movie and real life. One of the stories he told was about the way he, as a black man, was treated during his time as a TA. This was before the Civil Rights Movement, before MLK, before integration. He was part of the group that integrated the U.S. Military. His recounts revealed his positive attitude during a difficult time in the world. He said that he has had a positive attitude no matter what has been thrown at him in life, because he wants to be able to answer God proudly when He asks, “What did you do with what I gave you?” The TA said he could answer with (something along these lines), “Well God, I was a black man in the south, during a really hard time…” only to have God reply, “I know. I put you there. What did you do?” This man has plenty of excuses, yet he has chosen to live his life for the Lord no matter the circumstances. I have done plenty of things of which I’m ashamed and hope that God doesn’t bring up when I stand before Him. However, Jeremiah 29:11 says: For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. It’s what we do with those plans and how we react to them that can bring Him glory. Even if we mess up along the way…no matter how great, we can still glorify the Lord. Our actions and attitude will determine if He gets the glory.
David and I are behind on movies and finally watched Facing the Giants this weekend. The coach told his players that their attitudes are the “aromas of their hearts.” If their attitudes stunk, then their hearts stunk. This first reminded me of Matthew 12:34 ~ For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks, but it also fits with the question we will all be asked one day. If you have a humble, Godly attitude no matter the circumstance, God gets the glory!
Mike mentioned a quote Sunday that says, “Blessings and talents are God’s gifts to us. What we do with them are our gifts to God.” God obviously wants me to think about this lately and He’s given me situations so I can apply it. Thankfully, they’ve been small situations where I think about biting my tongue before I say something or jumping on an opportunity when I feel Him leading me. I want Him to get the glory in all of my actions.
My prayer for you is that you will glorify God in all that you do.
No comments:
Post a Comment