Consider this: all of us, unless descended from a Jewish heritage, are wild olive shoots. And yet, most believers are quite complacent about their place in the olive tree as though we are entitled. This attitude can lead to cheap grace.
Romans 11:17-18
If some of the branches have been broken off, and you, though a wild olive shoot, have been grafted in among the others and now share in the nourishing sap from the olive root, do not boast over those branches. If you do, consider this: You do not support the root, but the root supports you.
It’s hard to keep appreciating something wonderful. I live a pretty easy life: middle class with upper class taste. I don’t get to eat whatever I want, but I still treat myself to expensive ice cream, craisins, pistachios, and dinner in a restaurant several times a month. We have 4 cats, 2 dogs, and three fairly spoiled teenagers. We are a two-income family. I don’t dress from Nordstrom’s, but I do refresh my closet pretty regularly. We have 5 computers and two TV sets. (Ok, so we don’t have a flat screen yet, but it’s on the list. It’s expected.) We have three cars, all used, but still, each teen expects his/her own car and when that time comes, we’ll have five. Oh, I forgot, we actually have four cars, Mike has a “collector” car (a 1962 Valiant – don’t get me started on that one). We live on a street where most of the houses look the same, in other words, a subdivision. We have 4 bedrooms and 3.5 baths. We have heat when it’s cold and we have air conditioning when it’s hot. Our yard has trees and flowers and a view of the woods. It is a life of relative safety.
But grace is better than all that. Grace is better than winning the lottery.
And yet, I lose sight of this gift. I am wrapped in my comforts and forget about the wonder of my soul’s relationship with the God of the Universe. I forget I’m a wild shoot.
Give me a spirit of thankfulness this day.
Meditations from Zion 