HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME

God loves the work of His hands

“Jacob I loved,” says the Lord.

Jacob was a man whose life God altered.

Jacob was a man who was not satisfied with himself.

Jacob was a man who needed change.

Jacob was a man whom only God could change.

Jacob was a man who sought to change his circumstances by all means available, but he was unhappy with his achievements.

Jacob sought status, but once he obtained it, he was not satisfied.

Jacob sought wealth, but once he obtained it, he was not satisfied.

Jacob sought for beautiful women; but once he obtained them, he was not satisfied.

Jacob sought for lots of children; but once he obtained them, he was not satisfied.

Jacob sought for peace and reconciliation with his past; but once he obtained it, he was not satisfied.

If Jacob would have been Saint Augustine, he would have rightly said, “Dear Lord, you have formed us for thyself, and our hearts are restless until they find rest in thee”.

Jacob’s wandering and searching brought him back to God himself to seek his blessing and rest and he tried hard to get it the only way he knew how, and that is by the strength of the flesh as usual.

But God did not hold that against him though he was the shrewd servant who used worldly means to get spiritual gain. Neither did God “throw at him the book”.

Instead God showed him undeserving grace, because he was after greater things, things of God, things of the kingdom, things that matter, that the world could not give him. Jacob’s greatest need was his need of God. And God loves the man who needs him and alters his life.

Today is my birthday in the Lord, and as I make a balance of my life, my best is still failure. I find it harder to please people than to please God, who not only approves but who smiles at my “small things.” All my deeds are still made out of crayons brought back from the school of life to the house of my God and Father.

My stick figures drawn on scrap papers are still placed on God’s refrigerator proudly exhibited and sustained by cross-shaped magnets for the friends of my God to see.

I find myself wishing that people might see what God sees in me, His workmanship. I’m still far from what I would like to be, but by God’s grace I am what I am. Not much to be proud of but thankful to God for altering my life and for my being the work of His hands.

Pray that I may believe, love and work a little bit more than the fellow next door.

Pray that I may know Jesus in his fullness and lift up his name and his name alone.

Thanks for your prayers. Only God knows how much I need them. Do pray please.

Your fellow servant and partner in the service of our beloved Lord Jesus.