Yesterday, a dear friend from my high school days send me a photograph of a beautiful, snowy city street. It immediately brought to mind powerful memories from the days of my youth, when such weather was simply a part of everyday life in northern Maine.
In imagining being there, feeling, smelling and tasting the cold air, I suddenly felt at peace and closer to the incredible creation of God, my home and youth, my dreams and hopes, and my friends from the past – who will remain friends I love deeply in my heart forever.
I was somewhat overwhelmed in the realization that in our lives there exists “me, us and Him.”
I’ve come to believe that the old saying about “absence makes the heart grow fonder” can be true! In our youth, it’s far too easy to miss the blessings of God in our lives and how we inadvertently took them for granted.
Speaking for myself, and probably a few others as well, I spent years (decades) focused primarily on my needs, wants and desires – seeing life and whatever worldly successes I could muster as being the goal. I lived life from a “me, us and Him” perspective. I still have to fight this temptation!
I wasn’t necessarily denying or completely ignoring the goodness of God, but I didn’t understand that submitting fully to Christ (Him) brings true hope, joy, provision, the ability to lift up those around us, and the means to be an overcomer when bad things happen. How much better this perspective is than living our days from a self-focused perspective!
I’ve come to realize that doing our best (as we should do all things as unto the Lord) is worthy and important, but life is best lived from a “Him, us and me” perspective (not the other way around)!
In this perspective, a more godly perspective, our lives are absolutely filled with “successes,” whether small or large, seen or unseen, and we walk in the peace and anointing of our Lord! We’re able to better love each other and to walk in godly meekness (powerfully and confidently, but under control). We aren’t afraid or unwilling to repent when we blow it and to seek forgiveness. How much better it is to walk in the confidence of our Lord instead of plowing through life in arrogance and self-centeredness.
I believe with all my heart that our lives are even more full and rich, not less so, when we slow down and consider (maybe for the first time) the many blessings of God in our lives.
Whether we are young or old, seasoned or new to Christ’s salvation, others will know we are Christians by our love! This writer is perfectly okay with taking the time to remember those persons we love and who gave of themselves in the shaping of our hearts, minds and priorities – even if none of us realized it at the time.
We all draw ever closer to our heavenly home each day, so it seems good to occasionally examine ourselves and to consider the priorities we’ve established in our lives. As we reflect on the goodness of God and (hopefully) walk out our journey of faith in Christ, let’s always remember that He comes first and we should be “Him, us and me” people! There is no need for us to strive or seek others’ gifts or blessings!
May the Lord bless you and bring you peace!
Proverbs 3:5-6 (NKJV)
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, [a]nd lean not on your own understanding; [i]n all your ways acknowledge Him, [a]nd He shall direct your paths.”
Colossians 3:17 (NKJV)
“And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.”
Colossians 3:23 (NKJV)
“And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men…”.
John 13:34-35 (NKJV)
“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”
Praise Jesus forevermore!
