Don't Forget the Giver!
Frances Havergal became a well-known musician and singer in her day. She ended up singing in various Philharmonic societies and being used here, there and everywhere for her great gifts. She started to really enjoy doing this, but then came to realize that she was starting to miss the point of it all. Listen to her words in the book:
“A power utterly new and unexpected was given me (singing and composition of music), and, rejoicing in this, I forgot the Giver, and found such delight in this that other things paled before it… In better moments, I prayed that if it were hindering me the gift of song might be withdrawn.”
Joy in God's Glory
Havergal experienced what many people in ministry experience – when the ministry itself becomes more interesting and pleasurable to you than your relationship with God. But it’s not just in ministry that this happens – all of us have experienced how the applause and admiration we might receive in our workplaces, families or hobbies can become a sort of an addiction, and we end up treasuring that applause and leaving God out.
Havergal called it forgetting the Giver. God had gifted her with an ability to write and perform music, but soon she was so enjoying the gift that she forgot the Giver who gave it.
Jesus said that if your right hand causes you to sin, you should cut it off and throw it away. And so Havergal, recognizing that she had drifted from God because of her gifts, asked God to take it away – to cut it off, so to speak.
Now, does this means Christians can’t enjoy anything? Certainly not. But it means that our joy should always be in God. Whenever we enjoy anything, it should be for the glory of the one who gave it!
Delight in God
Go ahead and enjoy your life today. Whatever he has gifted you with, make the most of it and enjoy the blessing. But friends, don’t forget the Giver! Don’t’ forget that every good thing you have is from God. And He is the one who deserves your greatest delight and praise.
We can do this by praying consistently. Taking the time to thank God and give Him glory for the good pleasures in your life, and asking Him to help you keep them in their right place.
Like Havergal, let’s enjoy our gifts but be sure to delight in God the Giver above all.
