Day 278 - Maintaining a Grateful Heart Even When Times Are Good

Do you become forgetful about maintaining a grateful heart when times are good?

When times are good, it is easy to become complacent. To lose sight that maintaining a grateful heart is good for our lives and our souls. We may thank God for our blessings, but do we reach out with an open heart and plea that the Lord keep us in his grace? Time flies when life is good, and our humanness can creep up on us day after day. Perhaps we forget to pray, to thank the Lord for his blessings, neglect to think of Jesus and the life-saving sacrifice he made for us or stop hearing our inner voice, but the Holy Spirit is always ready to guide us. We are fickle in our fidelity. In good, we can so easily neglect our responsibility and privilege to seek God in all ways and times.

In Jeremiah, God spoke to Jeremiah, telling him of his responsibility to talk to all the nations of the Lord. He also calls us, for we are all apostles saved by the blood of Christ. We are called to tell others of Jesus's saving grace. You will meet the challenges in your way, just as we are blessed with different gifts. For one, it may be preaching in the pulpit, another at their workplace being the example of grace by their actions; for another, it could be baking cakes for celebrations infused with prayer for the celebrants and all present. There is a way for each person, for God said.

But the Lord said to me, Do not say, I am a child: for wherever I send you, you are to go, and whatever I give you orders to say, you are to say.

Have no fear because of them: for I am with you, to keep you safe, says the Lord.

Then the Lord put out his hand, touching my mouth; and the Lord said to me, See, I have put my words in your mouth: (Jeremiah 1.7-9 Bible in Basic English (BBE))

Prayer:

Lord, you called, and I am answering. I trust that my skills and gifts will be used to bring others to your precious Son and, therefore, you. I sometimes accept this grace and mission with fearlessness and trepidation on others. But I know you are my strength, and I will accomplish your goals with you. Remind me, Lord, to pray in all times, good and bad. Remind me you are there waiting, ever-present and joyful, and that I am part of Team Jesus. I am filled with the joy of you and peace that I have a goal, a mission for my life. You are the true Lord, and I thank you for calling my name today and every day. In Jesus name, I pray. Amen