Pay It Forward

I have recently been reflecting heavily upon the past providence of God. Thomas Watson once brilliantly stated that "The providence of God is the Christian's diary." As I look back on my life, I must first be thankful for the gift of life itself. God has lavished me with nothing but free grace and mercy.

I believe that nothing can come from nothing. This is an objective law of physics. "In the beginning was God, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God" (John 1:1). "In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth" (Genesis 1:1). I believe that Jesus Christ is the beginning and the end, the Alpha and the Omega. "'I am the Alpha and the Omega,' says the Lord God, 'who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty" (Revelation 1:8).

"He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities--all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross" (Colossians 1:15-20).

If this is all true, that Jesus Christ is the beginning, then it must mean that no one forced Him to create the universe and everything in it. No one held a gun to His head. Therefore, all of creation, myself included, exists because it pleased Jesus Christ to create it all out of nothing!

I believe in a God who stood on something that was not there, held nothing in His hand, threw it nowhere, and created the universe.

In believing this to be the Truth, my only reaction must be humble praise and awe. Jesus Christ created me out of NOTHING! Did He have to? No! Then why did He choose to do it? Because He took pleasure in creating me out of love.

Therefore, I am left with a heartfelt gratitude toward God for freely choosing to create me out of nothing. What do the sun, the moon, the stars, the ocean, the mountains, all of the insects, the animals, the plants, and myself have in common?? All are miracles made from nothing!

God didn't stop there. He sustains me by His mercy. He redeemed me. And He lavishes me with so many gifts that I have not earned. God has freely chosen to give me a great family, amazing friends, a dream job, and great health. I have a roof over my head and clothes on my back, and I have no debt.

I have all I need for the moment at hand. With this I should be more than content. "Return, O my soul, to your rest. For the LORD has dealt bountifully with you" (Psalm 116:7).

Pay it forward...I love because He first loved me. I forgive because He first forgave me. I truly live because He lived my perfect life for me.

God has done so much for all of us. We should honor Him by doing the same for those less fortunate around us. And what is the greatest gift we have to offer? Is it not the same Gift that is responsible for our joy? The Truth is who the hurt and dying need more than diamonds and cars.

We need to pay it forward because He first paid it all for us.