LIFELINK DEVOTIONAL
Wednesday, August 26, 2020

How would life be different if we moved from an entitlement mentality to one of thanksgiving?

I have a very simple point for us to ponder today from the words of Jesus to His disciples in John 6:65.

“And he said, “This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless it is granted him by the Father.””

 Here’s a hypothetical situation of an entitled life.

I awake in the morning and the coffee at breakfast is too strong. I grumble, because I am entitled to it being the way I like it. I get in the car to leave for work and there’s a truck blocking my driveway because it has a flat tire. I have to drive on my lawn and through the ditch to get around him because I’m entitled to keep my schedule for the day. I speed up as the light turns yellow because I’m entitled to be on time. I close the door to my office because I’m entitled to not be disturbed. I speak harshly to my wife when my expectations for some down time after work are met with her need to talk and discuss a major decision we need to make. I complain about the stock market downturn because I’m entitled to see my money grow so I can retire.

I could go on, or, I could go through the same scenario with a different perspective.

I awake in the morning and the coffee at breakfast is too strong. I praise the Lord for granting me the blessing of an automatic coffee maker. I get in the car to leave for work and there’s a truck blocking my driveway because it has a flat tire. I thank the Lord for granting me the opportunity to help someone in need, and I go inside to change into grub clothes and grab my tools. I slow down and stop as the light turns yellow, giving thanks to God for granting me a few more moments of praise time as I sing along with the worship songs on my radio. I keep the door to my office open because I know God is going to grant me an opportunity to speak with someone who needs encouragement.  I anxiously sit with my wife after work, knowing she has been waiting to to talk to me about a major decision we need to make. We pray that God will grant us wisdom.  I praise God that now matter what the stock market does the Lord will provide all my needs and grant me the grace to serve Him every day until He calls me home.

How do you live life?  Does a sense of entitlement make you crabby, or do you see everything in life as having been granted by the Father and live with joyful gratitude?

Pastor John