Your Eighth Christmas Gift | Showers’ Blessing Inspires

The “True Love” mentioned in the song doesn’t refer to an earthly suitor, but it refers to God Himself. The “me” who receives the presents refers to every believer. The eight maids-a-milking represent the eight Beatitudes: Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Matt 5:3-10 (KJV)

Horizon of Expectancy

In a conversation with my niece she stated, “God is not in everything.” I quickly admonished her and said that everything is all about Him. When you realize that it is all about Him, your life takes on new meaning and your purpose for being becomes even more paramount. The vicissitudes of life cannot jerk you around because you become content in who God created you to be, regardless of your situation.

You see, we can never lose sight of the very fact that God is in control. The enemy is so glib in his antics, as he was with Eve, that before we know it, we have become ensnared into pride, which leads to becoming more consumed with yourself than you ought to be.

Pride is more than arrogance. That is why many of us find ourselves being proud about things that we claim to have done. Yet, we know full well that if God had not provided us the wherewithal to accomplish the feat, we never would have been able to do it.

Then there are those who suffer from the “woe is me syndrome” and every waking thought they are consumed with themselves and their plight. Not until they can envision more than the pain of life are they able to relinquish the pride of their pain.

All God is calling for is a surrendered vessel. It is in this surrender that we not only find Him, but we find ourselves. In finding ourselves, it is not about great exploits of fame or fortune, but it is all about glorifying God.

We do that when we seek Him daily. When you begin to lay down your desires to have just more of Him, it is then that you surrender your life to Him. It is then that you begin to trust Him in such a way that it does not matter what happens, because you know that He has everything under control.

You are no longer the captain of your ship, but you wholeheartedly relinquish the reigns to God to be the commanding force purposefully guiding your life through its many twists and turns. When tyrannical ideas spring forth, you obliterate them with His Word and move confidently into the expectation He has for your life. Then and only then can He truly use you and you are truly His.

You cannot get so enamored with the expectancy of the horizon (good or bad) than you are with the One who created the horizon of expectancy God’s blessings empowers us in every aspect of our life.

God’s blessings empowers us in every aspect of our life as outlined in His Beatitudes below ( Matthew 5:3-10 MSG).

3. You’re blessed when you’re at the end of your rope. With less of you there is more of God and his rule.
4. You’re blessed when you feel you’ve lost what is most dear to you. Only then can you be embraced by the One most dear to you.
5. You’re blessed when you’re content with just who you are—no more, no less. That’s the moment you find yourselves proud owners of everything that can’t be bought.
6. You’re blessed when you’ve worked up a good appetite for God. He’s food and drink in the best meal you’ll ever eat.
7. You’re blessed when you care. At the moment of being ‘care-full,’ you find yourselves cared for.
8. You’re blessed when you get your inside world—your mind and heart—put right. Then you can see God in the outside world.
9. You’re blessed when you can show people how to cooperate instead of compete or fight. That’s when you discover who you really are, and your place in God’s family.
10. You’re blessed when your commitment to God provokes persecution. The persecution drives you even deeper into God’s kingdom.

I do hope that you enjoy this gift of love on the eighth day of Christmas. It is my desire that these words of encouragement will propel you further down your path of success.

Enjoy Your Gift!

Jacqui Showers

The Bold Encourager
Business Encouragement Coach

Special thanks to Dennis Bratcher, CRI/Voice, Institute for excerpts. Visit this site for more in-depth information.