[Friday's Devotional] - Deserving

If you have worked hard and then you get to sit down for a few minutes with a drink of whatever is on offer, you may well feel you deserve that. I think you are right. Whether it's your job or a bit of work you have done in your own time I think we would all agree you've earned that sit down with a drink. But I do get a bit heated when I hear someone saying things like "I deserve to be treated with respect for who I am", or "I've earned the right to special treatment because of my position". Even worse is "Don't you know who I am?" No I probably don't, I'm not very good with names and though your face is vaguely familiar I can't place you at the moment.  And actually I don't really care anyway.

In truth we all, and I include myself, think at times that we deserve something or that we have earned the right to behave in some way toward others and have them show  due respect.

There are, of course, some obvious exceptions. The majority of us would show The Queen the respect she deserves because of her position, and the winner of a Grand Prix or an Olympic final has earned the right to stand on the top step of the podium.

When we think of God do we believe that we deserve to be called his children? Have we earned the right to enter heaven when our time on earth is done? I can only answer for myself and it's a big NO. I haven't done anything to warrant being called son and I doubt my ability to do whatever that something is. I also doubt that I have done anything to earn a place in heaven. I simply asked Jesus to come into my life and now I'm treated like I'm special. I don't think I am!  No wonder I'm saying "Thank you Lord" every day.

May God Bless each of you and I pray that you all are treated the same as me because you have also put your trust in the Lord. He thinks you are special too!

Jim Finch