345 – Making the Most of What We Have

#faithbites #faithjourney making

Today was prep day for the colonoscopy. No solid foods, nothing red/purple/orange, nothing good to eat or drink at all. I had called it fasting but someone reminded me that fasting is not eating or drinking at all. So while being on a clear diet isn’t great, it is better than nothing at all. So why not try to make the most of it?

I went to the store, got some Popsicles, Italian ice, soda, and beef broth. While not a steak or pizza, it is giving me the fluids I need and some sugar. So I am making the most of it. 

We’ve heard the saying if life gives you lemons, make lemonade. We often don’t have what we want, but God gives us what we need. We just need to learn how to make the most of what we have and use it for his plan.

Scripture

• And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus. – Philippians 4:19
• The lions may grow weak and hungry,
      but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing. – Psalm 34:10

Reflection

The image of Lions growing weak and hungry while those who seek the Lord lack no good thing. That’s a pretty strong visual image. It’s not saying we will have everything we want. He is telling us though that we will lack no good thing. 

We have to balance our expectations as well. Some things that we strive for and see as good are really a distraction or temptation to take us away from God. We need to make sure that what we want is what we need to fulfill God’s plan. This isn’t easy in a world where we are inundated with commercials, new products, new everything, all with the promise that they will make us happy. The won’t.

I know after my test tomorrow, I will have a good breakfast or lunch and will forget all about this. Tonight though, I am making the best of having a clear liquid diet. I’m going to have a cup of coffee or maybe a banana Popsicle. But I will know that God has given me what I need to serve him.

Charge

Are you making the best of your life? The best of what God has given you? Maybe you are driven towards your wants thinking they are needs? Try this. List everything that you spend money on for a week. Then go through and see what are wants and needs? You would be surprised by the money you can save by just concentrating on needs. God will provide you everything and more. 

Lord, give me the strength to make the most of what I have. Remind me that you give me everything that I need. Help me understand that sometimes my wants are actually temptations and I don’t need them.