Today, I would like to introduce a brand new feature for my blog, devotionals! Once-a-month, you will be able to find a devotional written by me or a guest--an uplifting Bible-based message that is ready for you to read, digest and share with your loved ones.
Our first guest is Ginger Solomon and she truly has a God-given talent for using the pen to inspire the world. Originally, I wasn't going to post this until Friday, Feb. 28 (my original idea was to post a devotional on the fourth Friday of every month). But Ginger's message was so poignant that I believe I need to post this today because somebody out there in the world needs to hear it.
So read on and be blessed by God's inspiring Ginger to write this devotion, aptly called "The Blame Game".
~*~
The Blame Game
(A devotional written by Ginger Solomon)
When bad things happen, we all want someone to blame. It’s been happening since the beginning of time. In Genesis, Adam had the audacity to blame God for “the woman you gave me,” then Eve blamed their sin on the serpent (Gen. 3:12-13).
Whether it’s sin or death or some other life-altering event, we want answers. We want an explanation. We ask, “Why is this happening to me?” Many times we blame God for the situation.
There’s a saying that’s been going around for a while, “God will not give you more than you can handle.” I beg to differ. If He were to only give us what we could handle, then we wouldn’t need Him.
In Luke, it is recorded that Jesus confronted the chief priests and scribes with the parable of the vinedressers. (Luke 20:9-19). When he finished the parable, he added a little history to his lesson with Scripture. Verses 17 and 18(NKJV), “Then He looked at them and said, ‘What then is this that is written: “The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone”? Whoever falls on that stone will be broken; but on whomever it falls, it will grind him to powder.’”
For years, I have pondered this verse. Many might find it discouraging, but I don’t. Why? Because I have realized that if I fall on Jesus, who is the cornerstone, I might be broken. It will probably hurt. BUT God, with grace and mercy, sent Jesus to heal the broken. (Isaiah 61:1, Luke 4:18)
We all go through trials and tribulations. In fact, the Bible promises that we will. It also promises that God will never leave us or forsake us (Heb. 13:5), and that He would always be with us (Matt. 28:20).
In my debut novel, One Choice, my heroine, Cahri, steps away from God when her parents are killed in the country where they were missionaries. For years, she lives “going through the motions” of being a Christian, but in her heart she knows how far she’s wandered from God. But God does not give up on her. Throughout the story, we see His loving hand on her life — guiding, protecting, providing.
God is faithful (Deut. 7:9, 1 Cor. 1:9) and He does not turn away from us even when we move away from Him. He prods at us gently – through nature, memories, friends, and so many other ways. He loves us and wants us to return to Him.
When bad things happen we must learn that blaming is not going to make us feel better. Only God’s presence can sooth our tattered and wounded souls.
Have you played the blame game with God? He doesn’t mind your questions, or your anger, but He always wants you to come to Him for your comfort. There is no better place to be than on the lap of Abba (Daddy, God) when life throws us more than we can handle.
~*~
When bad things happen, we all want someone to blame. It’s been happening since the beginning of time. In Genesis, Adam had the audacity to blame God for “the woman you gave me,” then Eve blamed their sin on the serpent (Gen. 3:12-13).
Whether it’s sin or death or some other life-altering event, we want answers. We want an explanation. We ask, “Why is this happening to me?” Many times we blame God for the situation.
There’s a saying that’s been going around for a while, “God will not give you more than you can handle.” I beg to differ. If He were to only give us what we could handle, then we wouldn’t need Him.
In Luke, it is recorded that Jesus confronted the chief priests and scribes with the parable of the vinedressers. (Luke 20:9-19). When he finished the parable, he added a little history to his lesson with Scripture. Verses 17 and 18(NKJV), “Then He looked at them and said, ‘What then is this that is written: “The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone”? Whoever falls on that stone will be broken; but on whomever it falls, it will grind him to powder.’”
For years, I have pondered this verse. Many might find it discouraging, but I don’t. Why? Because I have realized that if I fall on Jesus, who is the cornerstone, I might be broken. It will probably hurt. BUT God, with grace and mercy, sent Jesus to heal the broken. (Isaiah 61:1, Luke 4:18)
We all go through trials and tribulations. In fact, the Bible promises that we will. It also promises that God will never leave us or forsake us (Heb. 13:5), and that He would always be with us (Matt. 28:20).
In my debut novel, One Choice, my heroine, Cahri, steps away from God when her parents are killed in the country where they were missionaries. For years, she lives “going through the motions” of being a Christian, but in her heart she knows how far she’s wandered from God. But God does not give up on her. Throughout the story, we see His loving hand on her life — guiding, protecting, providing.
God is faithful (Deut. 7:9, 1 Cor. 1:9) and He does not turn away from us even when we move away from Him. He prods at us gently – through nature, memories, friends, and so many other ways. He loves us and wants us to return to Him.
When bad things happen we must learn that blaming is not going to make us feel better. Only God’s presence can sooth our tattered and wounded souls.
Have you played the blame game with God? He doesn’t mind your questions, or your anger, but He always wants you to come to Him for your comfort. There is no better place to be than on the lap of Abba (Daddy, God) when life throws us more than we can handle.
~*~
Ginger Solomon, author
Author bio (short): Ginger Solomon is a Christian, a wife, a mother to seven, and a writer—in that order (mostly). When not homeschooling her youngest five, doing laundry or fixing dinner, she writes or reads romance of any genre. She’s a member of American Christian Fiction Writers, president of her local writing group, and writes regularly for three blogs.
Author bio (long): Ginger Solomon is a Christian, a wife, a mother to seven, and a writer — in that order (mostly). When not homeschooling her youngest five, doing laundry or fixing dinner, she writes or reads romance of any genre, some sci-fi/fantasy, and some suspense. She’s a member of American Christian Fiction Writers, president of her local writing group, and writes regularly for three blogs. In addition to all that, she loves animals, horses especially, likes to do needlework (knitting, crocheting, and sometimes cross-stitch), and loves to sing in the choir at church.
Ginger’s Links (select to view):
A Bed of Roses…Thorns Included
Writing Prompts & Thoughts & Ideas…Oh My!
Inspy Romance Blog
Facebook Author Page
Twitter @GingerS219
Pinterest
One Choice (book) blurb: Cahri Michaels is American by birth, but Belikarian by choice. Being selected to participate in the Bridal March forces her to give up the independent life she’s created for herself. She’s not ready to be anyone’s wife, much less to a man she doesn’t know. Prince Josiah Vallis despises the centuries old tradition—the Bridal March—that is forcing him to choose a wife from fifty women. Why does it matter that he’s twenty-five and still single? When Cahri and Josiah meet, sparks fly. Will it ignite a godly love that can see them through or will they be burned, never to be the same?
Buy One Choice via (select to view): Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Astraea Press and Smashwords
Ginger’s Links (select to view):
A Bed of Roses…Thorns Included
Writing Prompts & Thoughts & Ideas…Oh My!
Inspy Romance Blog
Facebook Author Page
Twitter @GingerS219
One Choice (book) blurb: Cahri Michaels is American by birth, but Belikarian by choice. Being selected to participate in the Bridal March forces her to give up the independent life she’s created for herself. She’s not ready to be anyone’s wife, much less to a man she doesn’t know. Prince Josiah Vallis despises the centuries old tradition—the Bridal March—that is forcing him to choose a wife from fifty women. Why does it matter that he’s twenty-five and still single? When Cahri and Josiah meet, sparks fly. Will it ignite a godly love that can see them through or will they be burned, never to be the same?
Buy One Choice via (select to view): Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Astraea Press and Smashwords
Good thought, Ginger!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Jennifer.
ReplyDelete