Thank you, Jesus!

I rarely see anyone else running in the morning at the time I am out. However, a couple of days ago as I rounded the corner of my block, I saw someone rounding the next block in front of me.

My first thought was that I am just enough behind them that he will probably never know I am here. But just as I made my way to the stretch of street in front of my house, I realized I was gaining on him.

After a long winter and a couple of illnesses that slowed me down- I was having a particularly good pace that morning. But catching up to and passing another runner- AWKWARD! I didn’t slow down but thankfully as I closed the gap between us, he made a left turn where I normally make a right…awkwardness avoided!

But then I started to think about how the enemy works. He is just far enough away as to not be noticed. He is lurking in the shadows (not that I was lurking or anything). He is watching and waiting for us to stumble. Then he swoops in when we are most vulnerable to take advantage of us while we are down.

He wants to keep us from getting back up. That’s why it’s so important to keep God close. Pray continually, read His word so that we will recognize the dangers and traps of the enemy more quickly and we can make a turn towards God and avoid the snares and awkwardness all together or at least get up faster. (Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. I Peter 8:8)

God’s armor provides protection from the enemy when we don’t even know the dangers are close. He is always watching out for us. (I know the Lord is always with me. I will not be shaken, for He is right beside me. Psalms 16:8)

I have had a question on my mind for several days. If you don’t mind me asking: How many times do you thank God daily? I think we need to be thanking Him so many times there is no way to keep count. (Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ. I Thessalonians 5:17-18)

We can thank Him for protection against the enemy, for our shelter, food, transportation, job, (things we normally might take for granted). We can thank Him for helping us through a tough meeting, for getting us safely to work or home, for waking up. Everything we have is a gift from Him. From the very breath you are breathing right now to the money in your bank account. He always provides.

Everything is His, was created by Him and should be appreciated in such a way that honors Him. It is my hope to be a good steward of everything He so generously gives me. He is everywhere and created everything. (Whatever is good and perfect is a gift coming down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes or casts a shifting shadow. James 1:17)

Recently, I was in a conversation with my mentee where this subject came up after he asked me, “What if God is too busy?” I explained the best I could to a ten-year-old that God is never too busy. He is always with us everywhere.

Let’s flip that around- are you too busy for God? Are you taking time to stop and say thank you, even when we don’t feel like it or when things aren’t going your way? It might take a little practice at first but once it becomes a routine it will improve your outlook immensely. Give it a try and see what happens.