Thankful Thursday 10/24

Today I am thankful for me.  Not in a prideful way, but I am thankful that I am alive, present in this time, to be a part of life.  I am thankful for God's gift of life.  One of my absolute favorite songs puts it best:

Now, all I have is now
To be faithful, to be holy and to shine
Lighting up the darkness
Right now, I really have no choice
But to voice the truth to the nations
A generation looking for God 

For such a time as this
I was placed upon the earth
To hear the voice of God
And do His will, whatever it is
For such a time as this
For now and all the days He gives
I am here, I am here and I am His
For such a time as this

You, do you ever wonder why
Seems like the grass is always greener
Under everybody else's sky
But right here, right here for this time and place
You can live a mirror of His mercy
A forgiven image of grace

For such a time as this
I was placed upon the earth
To hear the voice of God
And do His will, whatever it is
For such a time as this
For now and all the days He gives
I am here, I am here and I am His
For such a time as this

Can't change what's happened till now
But we can change what will be
By living in holiness
That the world will see Jesus

For such a time as this
I was placed upon the earth
To hear the voice of God
And do His will, whatever it is

For such a time as this
For now and all the days He gives
I am here, I am here and I am His
For such a time as this

So I am grateful to God for knowing best.  I am thankful to be alive and able to grow in faith and love for God.  I am here for a reason.  As it is put in Esther 4:14, "For if you keep silence at such a time as this, relief and deliverance will rise for the Jews from another quarter, but you and your father's family will perish.  Who knows?  Perhaps you have come to royal dignity for just such a time as this."

Challenge - What is your purpose?  It has been given to you by God, and it cannot be completed by anyone else - it is for you, for such a time as this.  Will you say yes?

Prayer - Lord, help me to focus on the present, to not dwell on the past, but to look forward with hope.  I am thankful for Your love and grace.  May I continue, with Your help, to work for Your glory.