Something that has been on my mind for the past week is the underestimation I sometimes give to my salvation.  Although I do realize that salvation is a blessing and I am very thankful for it, I occasionally find myself wishing God would bless my life additionally in this way or that way or thinking that if He would only grant me X, Y, or Z, my life would be so happy and complete.  

Of course, it is natural to want many/all of God’s blessings, great and small, and in every aspect of our lives.  Thankfully, He, more than anyone else (even ourselves), understands the desires of our hearts and what we stand in need of, and He really does shower us with blessings.  But what if God never gave me another blessing beyond salvation?  Would I consider that enough?  Would I deem that sufficient or would I feel entitled to more?  Would I be happy with eternal hope and nothing else?

Reflecting on this tendency to put salvation on par with other blessings, a couple of things dawned on me.  

First, I am undeserving of ANY blessing.  There is nothing good about me or within myself that has the right to expect any favor from the God of the universe.  But thanks to His great mercy and love, He has extended His grace (unmerited favor) so that I might be saved and have an eternal hope.

Second, this very same salvation and eternal hope is not just A blessing…it is THE blessing.  SALVATION IS NOT THE SCRAPS!  It’s not the trimmings or garnish around the main dish.  It IS the main dish…the star of the show…the headliner…the whole enchilada…the entire ball of wax.  SALVATION IS EVERYTHING!  All other blessings pale in comparison and are secondary.  All other blessings are just icing on the cake.  

In this life, we see darkly as though through a veil.  I would venture to say if we could stand on the brink of hell and get a glimpse of what our eternity would be without hope in Christ…if we could see the forever anguish resulting from eternal separation from God…we would have a new appreciation of the blessing of salvation and relegate it to its rightful place as the premiere and unsurpassable grace of God.  Likewise, if we were permitted to peer into the glory of heaven for a moment and see what joys await the children of God, we would never ask for or expect another thing.

“Father, thank You that You have saved me.  I praise You for this greatest of all blessings.  Help me to reflect on this truth daily and for its depth and richness to penetrate my heart, mind, and soul.  Thank You that, through the death and resurrection of Your Son Jesus, You have given me the most wonderful of all hopes.  Thank You, too, Lord, that You have chosen to bless my life in other ways, but help me to never lose sight that I already possess everything through salvation in Christ.  Help me to be content with whatever other blessings You choose to give me…or not to give me…and to acknowledge that my ultimate happiness is based in Your salvation alone.  Amen.”