Unclaimed Blessings

Call unto Me, and I will answer
thee, and shew thee great and mighty
things, which thou knowest not.
Jeremiah 33:3

“Unclaimed blessings” isn't a term I hear much anymore. Of course, it depends on how it is used. When growing up in our Baptist church in my home town, we had a wonderful single lady who was well past what folks referred to as the “marryin' age.” She loved children and worked with them whenever any opportunity presented itself. My Mother and another lady were speaking of this lady one day within my hearing. They weren't gossiping, but were speaking very complimentary of her. My Mother asked the other lady that she wondered why this lover of children had never married as she would seem to be a good catch for some guy and a terrific mom as well. Her friend commented that this must one of God's “unclaimed blessings.”

In some local newspapers, there are sometimes 1-3 pages listing people's names with an amount of money beside each name that hasn't been claimed by them.. This money is available to each person if they will make a certain official contact to get information on the circumstances of that money. Many of those people may be deceased where some of their funds, perhaps forgotten by them, sits in a bank somewhere. Their families probably don't even know of the accounts. After notification, those funds must be claimed by the people on the list or their legal representative in a certain amount of time or they will lose the money.

Having been a casemanager with foster children, I sometimes came across unclaimed children. Some of these children were throw away children whose parents for some strange reason didn't want to claim their own children....unclaimed children...who can imagine, but it happens.

There are some unclaimed things other than money, children, houses, or items in a pawn shop to be considered. One unclaimed blessing many people fail to claim is that of the salvation that is everyone's through the purchasing blood of Jesus Christ. It cannot be stressed how basic this is to everything else in our lives. People can seek everything they want and may even get it, but all is for nothing without claiming the salvation that is theirs through the death of Jesus for their sins. It took the shed blood of a sacrifice and Jesus was that sacrifice. Blood banks keep every type of blood for special emergency use for those who must have it to stay alive during surgery or after an accident. Our spiritual lives and eternity also depends on the shed blood of Jesus to maintain life now and for eternity. That blood isn't sitting in a cooler somewhere. it is within heart's reach.

Another unclaimed blessing very often is that of peace. In Philippians 4:6-7, we read that one source of peace that passes all understanding is by praying and turning our worries and concerns over to Jesus. Somehow, we have come to the conclusion that the more we worry, the more we are solving our concerns. We don't see the toll the lack of prayer and letting Jesus have control takes on us. So unfortunately, peace is often left on a shelf in our lives while Jesus stands ready to give us what we need or sometimes desire.

Although there are so many unclaimed blessings we leave to one side, I'll add only one more. I realize that God has promised that “I will never leave you or forsake you.” His presence is promised to you and me is based on His very word. However, many of us at times don't even give recognition of the Lord's presence in our lives. His presence is very real, but might as well not be if we don't recognize His presence and take advantage of that presence whether it be for fellowship or out of need. No one likes to be ignored. Brian and I were visiting a large church that he was considering when we made a move to another city. It was raining after the morning service so he went for the car. I found myself in the good sized vestibule, alone. with the pastor. It would seem that he too was waiting for someone's arrival. We were probably in that area for at least five minutes with no one else around. He didn't greet me, or try to start a conversation...he only paced with never a word. Needless to say, when Brian asked my input regarding further attendance at that church, I was negative on the subject. That was just two people in a church vestibule, where a pastor should have at least said hello to a visitor. How must our loving Father, God of the universe, Father of Jesus Christ feel when we walk around, living life never speaking to Him or seeking fellowship with Him.

So what does Scripture say about these three unclaimed blessings:

PURCHASED
But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light,
we have fellowship one with another, and the
blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth
us from all sin.
I John 1:7

PEACE
Peace I leave with you, My peace I give unto
you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither
let it be afraid.
John 14:27

PRESENCE
Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that
your sins may be blotted out, when the
times of refreshing shall come from the
presence of the Lord.
Acts 3:19

How very sad for you and me when God has provided so many benefits and blessings to us that we don't care to claim. He makes these provisions out of His love for us. I'm sure it grieves Him when He wants to do so much for us and His blessings are left unclaimed. We are the ones who lose if we never read our Bibles, are lax in prayer, attend church only if we feel like it...all of which are sources of learning and nurturing our relationship with the One who has promised to be our all in all. Let's not leave a single blessing unclaimed that God has provided for us.

Thank You Father, for sending Jesus to shed His blood for my salvation. Thank You Jesus, for coming to die for me and everyone else. Through Your sacrifice, we have peace and the consistency of Your presence through Your Holy Spirit. I know You want good things in my life...you want to bless me. Forgive my ingratitude. Help me to be more appreciative and to gratefully accept Your goodness in my life. In Jesus' name...Amen