20th-27th January 2025
Recently, I observed an interaction between my toddler and baby that is likely familiar to most parents. Eoin, who is two and a bit, was happily playing with his wooden train set when he saw me give a silicone block to six-month-old Liam. The train set was instantly abandoned as Eoin took an obsessive interest in the silicone block, made for babies. I had to hide my laughter, watching as he tried to persuade Liam to give up the toy: “You want to give me that, Liam? You all done with the block? I have that block now, Liam?” A baby toy that Eoin hadn’t looked at twice in at least a year – one that would have actually been quite boring for him – was suddenly his greatest desire.
Why is my child’s instinct to reach for the one thing that isn’t his, that’s giving pleasure to someone else? He has an entire room of toys at his disposal, much more interesting and exciting things to play with than one little silicone block. More than that, he can walk and run – there are toys in nearly every room of our house and in our garden awaiting his exploration! Liam is, for now, confined to his baby bouncer. What makes Liam’s toy so enticing?
But, of course, this childish interaction isn’t new. The weeds of envy and discontentment growing in my own heart find their roots in the very first garden, where Eve looked at the only fruit she was not to eat and saw that it was pleasing to the eye.
Both believers and unbelievers know that the solution to the problem of envy is to cultivate gratitude for what you have, to “count your blessings.” We could spend an entire week’s prayer diary doing just that – giving thanks for our homes, our families, our church, our community, food to eat, our health, and the list goes on. God has richly blessed us in this life! But Paul’s “secret of being content” for the believer has nothing to do with gratitude for our worldly blessings. Christians who have lost everything in the hurricanes on America’s east coast or in the fires in Los Angeles, or through heavy persecution or personal tragedy can still find contentment in every situation through Christ who strengthens them.
I think of the lyrics, “What gift of grace is Jesus my redeemer, there is no more for Heaven now to give.” Even if we’re in a season of desperate need and longing, we can still say that God has given us everything Heaven has to offer, the fullest riches of His grace. When we envy the possessions, successes, or circumstances of those around us, we’re like Eoin with Liam’s little block, chasing after things that not only belong to someone else, but that are so much less than what God has for us. We’re like toddlers in a house full of rooms yet to be explored, crying over things that couldn’t even bring us true joy if they were ours. The basic pleasures that satisfy in this world can never compare to the blessings we have in Christ, the redemptive hope that is ours through salvation.
I was able to distract Eoin from his obsession with Liam’s toy by engaging his attention in a jigsaw, something much more enjoyable to him and designed for his level. Thankfully, our loving Heavenly Father gently redirects our thoughts and affections in much the same way, as the Spirit shows us more and more of God Himself, and as we grow in the knowledge of our eternal riches in His Kingdom – grace upon grace upon grace.
This week, I would love to spend each day giving thanks for some of the privileges we now enjoy as children of God, allowing the Spirit, as I do so, to uproot the envy and discontentment growing in my own heart that will strangle my joy if left unchecked.
Written by Corrie Johnston
MONDAY
“But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved.” Ephesians 2:4-5
What an incredible miracle, Father, to be alive in Christ, able to bring you praise and gratitude for the unsearchable depths of your mercy! Thank you for loving and choosing me – a broken sinner, dead in my transgressions – before I was ever capable of loving or choosing you. I could spend every day in praise to you for this alone and yet you have showered me with so many more gifts as well. Help me not to take my life with Christ for granted, Father. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
TUESDAY
“See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!” 1 John 3:1
“For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will.” Ephesians 1:4-5
Father, I want to say as John says, what a loving thing you have done in making me your child! You didn’t stop at merely saving me from death and making me alive in Christ, you have also changed my name and claimed me as your own family. Even though I often walk in ways that aren’t worthy of my new name, you will never cast me out. Though I’m tempted to hide my family status in order to maintain my worldly reputation, you are never ashamed to call me your child. Thank you for choosing me, Father! Amen.
WEDNESDAY
“His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.” 1 Peter 1:3
“…being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” Philippians 1:6
O Lord, how comforting it is to know that it’s not up to me to change my own heart and soul. Although I’ve been made alive in you and enjoy the privilege of being your child, I so often slip back into the ways of my old self. I want to be like Jesus, but I can’t become like him on my own. Thank you for not leaving me in my sin! Thank you for the assurance your Holy Spirit’s presence brings, even as he shapes and changes me in ways that can sometimes be painful. Thank you, Spirit, for your healing power to transform the ugliness in my soul into the beauty of Christ. Help me to listen when you speak to me, and to submit myself daily to your changing work. Amen.
THURSDAY
Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathise with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” Hebrews 4:14-15
Thank you, Jesus, for being my advocate! What a comfort it is to know that I will never face a greater trial or temptation than what you already endured when you walked among us. How deeply kind it was of you, Jesus, to enter into humanity so that you could truly empathise with us. Thank you for making it possible for me to now approach your Father without fear, despite my own failures. Help me to take advantage of the extraordinary privilege of free access to God’s throne by spending more time in prayer and fellowship with your Father. In Your name, Amen.
FRIDAY
“God has put the body together, giving greater honour to the parts that lacked it, so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honoured, every part rejoices with it. Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.” 1 Corinthians 12:24-27
Father, thank you for your church, this family of believers that you are building into a body, a dwelling place for your Spirit. You chose not only to give us an inheritance in your future Kingdom and a personal relationship with you, but you also established a community of brothers and sisters to be a help in this life as we each journey toward our true home. Thank you for the love and friendship that we can enjoy with each other because of our shared inheritance – a foretaste of the love we will experience in the new Heavens and new Earth. Help us to value each other, to build each other up and offer comfort and support to each other as we walk through the darkness of this broken world. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
SATURDAY
“I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, ‘Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.’” Revelation 21:2-4
Father, help me never to lose sight of the unspeakable glory toward which we’re walking! How can I possibly be tempted by worldly desires when I read these verses in Revelation and reflect on the beauty of the coming Kingdom? What an overwhelming thought it is that you will one day make your dwelling place among us, that the fullness of your glory will be our sun, and we’ll no longer have to hide our faces like Moses at Mount Sinai. Thank you, Father, for the unshakeable hope of eternity! Amen.
SUNDAY
“I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength.” Philippians 4:12-13
Dear Lord, thank you so much for the opportunity I’ve had this week to reflect on the riches you’ve lavished on your children. And there are so many more to give thanks for! I pray, Lord, that you will give me a posture of gratitude, even in the midst of challenges and grief. Through your Spirit, please fill my heart with so much love for you that I can’t help but pour out praise and thanks whenever I come into your presence. Even as I lay my cares and worries at your feet, as you’ve welcomed me to do, help me always to remember how much you’ve already given to me. I love you, Lord. Amen.