By Kathy NortonA few weeks ago, I got an unexpected call. My friends Shirley and Hillary asked me to stop by after work because they had something for me. I searched my mind trying to reason why this was so. It was not a special occasion or a particular holiday. I had not graced them with any past favors. What did I do to deserve it? I proceeded to ask a co-worker to help me solve my dilemma. Then almost jokingly, I heard a voice say, "Just shut up and take it." Why is it difficult for us to accept blessings and gifts? It seems we are brainwashed in our early childhood to earn things through practicing good works. It assures us a feeling of self-righteousness and gives us permission to expect to be rewarded. The saga of Santa Claus echoes in our minds. "You better watch out cause coal in your stocking will be your reward if you are naughty." Consider this, Santa empties his whole sleigh leaving everything at your house if you are really nice. | Better yet, we are celebrated with tokens of love for the loving and kind acts done to others. For example, the feasts of Mother's Day, Father's Day, Teacher's Day and even Pastor's Appreciation Day has become significant, attaching something to the receiving end. So, it is no wonder that we find the blessings from God's hands so hard to take. We truly miss the greatest blessings when our mindsets are such. Grace is the unmerited favor of God to undeserving man. Grace is only viewed on Sunday and the attribute of God's love may remain mysterious and hidden from us all. This blindness keeps us from experiencing fully the total enjoyment of a heavenly Father's love. Jesus repeatedly tells us "God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son." In very simple terms, He told His own Son, "Shut up and take it." For all those naughty things we've done, thought and wanted to do were nailed to a cross. "No greater love than this that a man lay down his life for a friend." Because of the shed blood of Jesus Christ, we have become joint heirs, wth Christ able to tap in on the innumerable spiritual and natural blessings. We can only boast in another man's work. Whether you are a prostitute, alcoholic, adulterer, murderer, or church folk etc. | the nail-scarred hands reach out and long so to touch you with His love! Only believe. I did one day and He delivered me from adultery, alcoholism, and mental illness. When all else had failed, I shut up and took it. Stop asking your fellowman, "Why are you giving me this for?" Can't you accept that God wanted to use a vessel to pour out His love to you each day? In conclusion, I went to my friends' house. I was welcomed with a wrapped gift and a small bag. The bag contained homemade fruit bread. Inside the box was a warm, soft sweater. Shirley and Hillary explained, "They liked to surprise friends with unexpected gifts." With that simple gesture, I began to view more, "What is the breadth and length, depth and height and the knowledge of Christ's love which passeth knowledge." It is a daily practice this "Shut up and take it." As the process continues, "Christ dwells in your heart by Faith, and you become rooted and grounded in love." Naturally, you understand more clearly Staple's slogan: "That was easy." So next time you open your eyes , breathe again and start a new day remember because "He shut up and took it" everyone of us should "Shut up and take it," and never forget while you are doing it to say,"Thank you Lord Jesus." Kathy Norton is a published Christian poet who has written a book entitled "Out of Egypt." She is also the blogger of Happy Neurons. Kathy can be reached at [email protected] |
9 Comments
|