Guilt of Religious Privileges

In the Valley of Vision’s prayer entitled, ‘God the Source of All Good’ I was struck by these words:

‘I am often straying, often knowingly opposing thy authority, often abusing thy goodness; Much of my guilt arises from my religious privileges, my low estimation of them, my failure to use them to my advantage.’

According to the mortality tables, I’m beyond mid-life (though gladly I don’t feel that way).   I’ve been a believer for over three decades and an ordained pastor for nearly two decades.  What religious privileges I’ve had as a believer (prayer, God’s Word, worship, fellowship with believers, discipleship, God’s acts of providence, etc) and a pastor (seminary training, testing of the gifts God has given me, daily interaction with the people of God, daily preparation for sermons, small groups, bible studies, etc., witnessing the example of and working with godly men and women who have encouraged me in my faith.  Many others could be listed)! 

Yet, I’ve failed to use these wonderful privileges to my full advantage.  I still stray, oppose God’s authority, and abuse his bountiful goodness.  How easy it is to lose sight of ‘godliness with contentment is great gain,’ and long for more privileges when I haven’t fully used the ones God has already given.

May I bless God for the marvelous privileges He’s granted me and use them to my FULL advantage.  May my petition continue with the Valley of Visions:  “But I am not careless of thy favour or regardless of thy glory; Impress me deeply with a sense of thine omnipresence, that thou art about my path, my ways, my laying down, my end.”