November 16, 2022 | Entitled to Humbled
"While Jesus was in the Temple, he watched the rich people dropping their gifts in the collection box. Then a poor widow came by and dropped in two small coins. "I tell you the truth," Jesus said, "This poor widow has given more than all the rest of them. For they have given a tiny part of their surplus, but she, poor as she is, has given everything she has."
- Luke 21:1-4 NLT -
Have you ever felt like you deserved something because it's what you believe you would do for someone else?
I've learned that this thought process is another form of false expectations. Unrealistic expectations placed on people. When we unintentionally place those things on others; we set them up to fail. We set ourselves up to be offended and then convince ourselves they are a disappointment. It's a needless recipe for disaster.
Recently I was lovingly convicted by my own self-righteous thoughts and doings. Audaciously bragging in my head of what I would do for others IF "that were me."
Yet in all of it, I had unknowingly saw people's value with a measurement of how I would do things and then measure their actions to either accuse or celebrate someone else's care and concern for me.
Yikes!
Meanwhile realizing I had placed my standard on certain people that should know better and if they didn't add up to what I would expect, then my thoughts were, "Why waste my time on them?"
Wow! The more I think about it, the more I realize what an incredible tragedy that is.
It caused me to think, can you imagine if our God did that with us?
What if HE took everything we gave to Him and He replied, "That's all you've got?" "What a disappointment you are."
But I thank God that this is not what He does. He sees the metaphorical fish and loaves of our lives and knows how most of the time it is our everything and blesses it; multiplies it and reveals His glory.
Today's Triumphant Victorious Reminder is to reveal God's grace we have freely received and freely give it to others. Remembering what they have given to us, it could very well be their all. It may seem like nothing to us - but to them, it could very well be their everything.
When we can receive from people in this way - it's as though we are reminding ourselves of God's merciful love that extends grace to us. Revealing the glorious redemption of Who He is and Who He wants to be in our lives.
Love, Teresa Ann
Reflection Questions:
- Is there something that God has highlighted in your life of where you have felt entitled?
- Do you remember a time of giving your best to someone and they didn't value it?
- As you see it from both perspectives, what is God showing you about Himself that you never thought about before?
- What scripture from God's Word comes to mind after reading today's devotional?
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