July 14, 2008
As
I stood in line at the bank today I watched the people as they cashed their
checks and some went to go to their safety deposit boxes. I watched as the
customer service representative came out greeted them and then lead them to the
vault. The normal procedure is that the representative takes you around to the
vault, matches your signature to the one on file, sorts through the keys to find
the right one and takes you to your safety deposit box. She unlocks her half
then you unlock yours and then you are able to access the box. In some bigger
branches, you also have to go through extra security and get beyond the armed
guards before you gain access.
The
blessings of God in our life are often like that. Once we have accepted Him as
Lord and Savior, He's brought us into the family and unlocked His half of the
box.
Therefore,
brothers, we have an obligation--but it is not to the sinful nature, to live
according to it. For if you live according to the sinful nature, you will die;
but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live,
because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. For you did not
receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the
Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, "Abba, Father." The Spirit
himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children. Now if we are
children, then we are heirs--heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we
share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory. Romans
8:12-17 NIV
This
mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel,
members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ
Jesus. Ephesians 3:6 NIV
If
you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the
promise. Galatians 3:29 NIV
Now
we need to unlock our part of the box.
What
parts of your heart and life remain unlocked? Are you holding onto bitterness?
Are you worshipping your possessions ahead of God? Are you giving out of a sense
of obligation rather than cheerfully?
Perhaps
you haven't unlocked the room of time and are "too busy" for worship,
prayer and Bible study. Maybe it's the door of trust that needs to be unlocked
and fear hinders you from being blessed by God.
The
blessings are ours for the claiming, if we do our part. Does that mean we'll all
be healthy, wealthy and have a life of ease if we just follow some secret
biblical formula? No.
We
have the blessing of forgiveness and eternal life when we accept Him. He has the
power to heal any of us or make any of us wealthy, if that is His plan. The
greatest blessing though is worth far more than money, is far better than an
easy life that is pain free, it's the true intimacy and joy of a life filled
with Jesus and the presence of the Holy Spirit. When you know those moments, you
find out quickly that all the rest really doesn't matter.
As
the old saying goes, just give me Jesus. He'll satisfy you in every way if you
just open yourself up to Him.
God
has his key ready to unlock and help you access more than you could ever hope or
imagine.
May
you open the doors of your heart and all your locked boxes and let him in!
Be
blessed
Darrel
Mason