I Will Not Take These Things for Granted

I was listening to one of my favorite bands today in my car, and their song, “I Will Not Take These Things for Granted,” was playing. It’s not a so-called “Christian” song, and they’re not known as a Christian band (and a high five for anyone who knows who I’m referring to!). But the theme of the song got my attention and stirred my heart.

I began thinking of all the ways God has blessed me, my family, my friends, and our church. I also began to think of how many times I take the incredible beauty and power of God around me for granted. I get busy and laser-focused on the job that needs to be done. I often forget to listen well to the stories and situations of people God places in my life. I find myself prone to complain. I regularly miss the mundane, beautiful moments of the everyday.

How about you?

Psalm 118 is a blessing for busy, distracted, prone-to-forget-the-beauty-around-us people. Just listen to the first verse:

¹ Oh give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever!

This verse alone should stop us in our tracks. It should move us to pause, slow down, redirect in the hectic moment, and sing aloud of God’s incredible goodness.

And the psalm doesn’t stop there. Verse five is a balm to bruised and weary souls:

⁵ Out of my distress, I called on the LORD; the LORD answered me and set me free.

The psalmist’s words can comfort your heart when you are busy and distracted by pain or brokenness.

The rest of the psalm is filled with reasons for praising God:

• God is my strength and my song.
• God has done mighty things.
• The Lord is our refuge.
• God disciplines us for our good.

On and on, it shouts, “Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for he is good!”

Look around you today. What do you notice? How is God at work in and through you? In and through others? What creational gifts has he given that you have missed? Mountains, bees, clouds, sun? What relational blessings has he surrounded you with? Do you take these things for granted?

And what about your hurts and struggles? Do you believe that God is good and uses the pain and challenges to shape you more and more into the glorious daughter and son he desires to make you? Do you take even these things for granted?

Take some time to read through Psalm 118 and let the good Spirit speak to you in his word and prayer. Where do you need to ask God to open your eyes and heart to see his goodness around you?

I’m thankful for you, church, and I don’t take that for granted.

-Pastor Wade