2 Corinthians 4:18….. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever.
2 Corinthians 6:10 Our hearts ache, but we always have joy. We are poor, but we give spiritual riches to others. We own nothing, and yet we have everything.
Psalms 23: 2-3 He lets me rest in green meadows; he leads me beside peaceful streams.
He renews my strength. He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to his name.
Several weeks ago while traveling my husband and I had an opportunity to visit my brother and his family. This is always a treat for us since we only get to see them 2-3 times a year. My brother and his wife have been blessed with the gift of hospitality. They have truly mastered the art of entertaining.
When you leave their home you literally feel like you have been blessed to have a few nights away at a 5 star Bed and Breakfast. They love to cook and they make a great team in the kitchen. They each have their specialties’ that they enjoy preparing when guest come. And believe me they have their share of guest.
When we are there our children really enjoy each other’s company and that makes for a fun time. We have lots of laughs and of course we always have to revisit our good old childhood memories, which seem rather pre-historic to our children. The visit is just not complete without sharing those well over told stories with them one more time.
Usually after having a great meal we retire to the living area. We can sit for hours with he and his wife just talking about the wonderful things God is doing in all of our lives and just how great He is. It seems that when we start these conversations our time just gets away from us and before we know it, the whole evening has gone by. In our conversation on this last trip my brother made the statement: “the best things in life cannot be purchased” We started to name a few of the things that money cannot buy. I thought I would share some of these with you today just as a reminder of how richly blessed we are.
Things money can not buy: peace, joy, contentment, hope, great health, a beautiful sun shinny day, family, and your relationship with God, wisdom, a great friend, salvation/ eternal life and love. Just to name a few. All of these things are straight from the hand of God and none of these can be purchased.
Most of the time we work endless hours to acquire money to purchase more and more things. These are usually material items that our eyes simply cannot resist, such as a shiny new car, a beautiful home, the finest clothes, jewelry with the most sparkle or bling, and don’t forget those lavish vacations.
Please know that I enjoy beautiful things also and that there is no sin in having nice things. Yes, please hear me, there is no sin in having nice things. However while these also are blessing from God, you will never find complete fulfillment in obtaining them. Our greatest joy actually comes in the things we cannot see at all. The evidence of some of these flow through us. An example of this would be a person who has joy, is joyful. People who are at peace or are content are usually calm in their demeanor, because they have learned how to rest in God and trust His will for their lives.
Where are you today? Are you truly enjoying the gifts that are free to us straight from the hand of our Father, or are you chasing the things that have no eternal value and can never truly bring peace or contentment? If so, maybe it’s time to get still with paper and pen in hand and re-evaluate some things. Make a list of the things you have been blessed with that have cost you nothing. I think you will be amazed. I also think that you would not trade one of those for something material.
Let’s fully enjoy all that God has given us and realize that we are already rich beyond measure. We simply need to take time to review what we freely possess.
May your cup run over today with peace, joy, love, contentment, and most of all gratitude.
Galatians 5:22 But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness.
Colossians 3:12 Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.
