Inspiration

Teenagers can be ungrateful at times. During the teen years, a new breed of selfishness rears its ugly head. Many manage to navigate those waters and emerge unscathed as adults, but sometimes that selfishness follows them into adulthood. There is born a sense of entitlement, as if the universe owes them something. Sometimes you’ll hear a teenager demanding recognition for doing something that is expected. “I came to school today. I deserve some extra credit.” “I washed my breakfast dishes. What are you going to pay me?” “I cleaned my room. Now what do I get?” Sometimes people act as if God owes them something, as well. They will come to church and say “I’m here God. Bless me.” Or they flip past the bigger bills in their wallets and toss a single dollar into the offering plate. “There God. You’re going to break me.” They forget that the fact that they walked into the building was itself a blessing or that every bill in that wallet is there because of God’s blessings on their lives. God owes us nothing. He doesn’t need us. It is difficult for us to believe that in our human arrogance. But He doesn’t. If we weren’t here to give Him praise, the rocks would cry out for Him. He was here long before we were. You can’t pay a God who has everything, who is everything? The wonder of it all is this: He doesn’t need us, but He wants us. He doesn’t need our company, but He wants to be with us. He doesn’t need our praise, but He desires it. He doesn’t owe us a thing. But He gives it anyway. What a mighty, loving God we serve!