Contrasts

Many times we don't realize what we have until it is taken away.

That is so true.  Whether it be our health, a personal friend or family member or even something as superficial as a material possession, we don't realize what we have until it is taken away.

Until there is a contrast.

We don't appreciate light until we are in the dark.

We don't appreciate a home cooked meal until we've been on the road for days if not weeks.

We don't appreciate the heat of summer until we are in the bone chilling cold of winter.

We don't appreciate the cool of fall and the cold of winter until we are in the stifling heat of summer.

Isn't that true?

You see, thanksgiving and appreciation are often related to contrasts.

One of the challenges that we (who have grown up in the church) have is that when someone is saved at an early age, and they never do anything terribly wrong or sinful in their lives, that they can begin to have feelings of self-righteousness and pride.  As if they deserve their salvation.

There hasn't been a whole lot of contrast in their lives.

And that can be dangerous.

Now, I am NOT saying that the answer is to go out and live an awful life so that you can have contrast or a "testimony".

I am saying the answer is to see that self-righteousness stinks as badly as any other sin that anyone could commit.

The problems is not that we need to go out and do something to create this contrast that we are speaking of - the problem is we really have the contrast and we just don't know it.

Many are steeped in the sins of self-righteousness, pride and self-sufficiency.  But because of the lack of recognition of contrast - they remain blind to their need.

We need to recognize that apart from Jesus we are nothing.

And that's something to be thankful for this week. 

That the creator of the world, the God of the universe, sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to live and die for my sins - whether I have grown up in the church - or just walked in from the streets - it is all the same.

Thank you, Lord!