Blessings: Pleasant and Not So

We all have understood by now that life is not made up of pleasantries alone. From first cries at birth to last breaths at death we enjoy many wonderful blessings and joys of this life. At the same time, not a day goes by without a reminder that we live on a sinful planet. Placing them all together, blessings and not so, affect who we are and how we view God and His interventions in our lives. The decision is completely ours to either embrace or reject Him.

In his book A Sweet and Bitter Providence, John Piper offers these thoughts about God's providence. “Life is not a straight line leading from one blessing to the next and then finally to heaven. Life is a winding and troubled road. Switchback after switchback. And the point of biblical stories like Joseph and Job and Esther and Ruth is to help us feel in our bones (not just know in our heads) that God is for us in all these strange turns. God is not just showing up after the trouble and cleaning it up. He is plotting the course and managing the troubles with far-reaching purposes for our good and for the glory of Jesus Christ.” (Crossway Books & Bibles, 2010), pp.101-102). God’s ultimate purpose is to lead us back to His kingdom. How we accept His guidance affects how far or how close we remain to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Regardless of what happens to you, and no matter what kind of blessings you encounter in life, my friends, please stay close to Jesus. That’s the only way for you to enjoy life. After days, months, and years have gone by, you won’t regret it.