In our rural community, we experience power outages during severe winter weather. We prepare by placing ice bags in our freezer, and no one lifts the lid. We hunker down next to the fireplace, play board games, and heat our dinner on the gas stove. If the impending outage is expected to last more than a day, we choose sleeping spots near the fireplace. Our children inform us that candlelight is bright enough to play board games but too dim to work on homework. Besides, we have to make tents out of sheets and castles out of books before the electricity is restored.

But wait, that was yesteryear. This time when the power went out, we opened the freezer multiple times. We sat in our easy chairs and watched television. We heated our dinners in the microwave. We were able to do these things because we had purchased a generator! This time, although we still met near the fireplace, the atmosphere just wasn't the same. Our conversations were interrupted by breaking news coverage, and we had no inconveniences to overcome as a family.

It was when my daughter mentioned that she missed playing board games, that I realized that those pre-generator power outages were blessings in disguise.

Let's talk about an inconvenient blessing that wasn't fun at all. It was wrought on the most important day of history. The occasion was crucifixion day.

John 19:30b – It is finished. (KJV)

Mark 15:38 – And the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom. (KJV)

As Jesus spoke, "It is finished", a midday eclipse darkened the sky — greater than any power outage that we've ever experienced — obscuring figures in its thickening cloak. The earth rumbled, rocks split, and the veil of the temple tore from top to bottom. It is as if all of creation stopped to honour the Saviour as He died on Calvary's cross and opened the way to be reconciled with Father God.

Why did Jesus endure this inconvenient blessing? It is because He loves you, my friend. The night prior to His crucifixion, He said, "I have chosen you" (John 15:16b KJV). But His love for you started far before crucifixion day. The Lord chose you before you were born, even before the world had its beginning.

Ephesians 1:4a – He hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love. (KJV)

There's an aspect of your choosing that is far more important than material blessings: Father God chose to provide for you the Saviour. The words, "in Him" speak of your salvation. When you ask Jesus to be your Saviour, then you are "in Him". This is part of God's perfect plan for your life. Even now, Jesus is preparing your mansion in heaven. As a believer, your blessings stretch into eternity. Blessing after blessing awaits you that you'll receive the moment that you step into heaven. Glory!

Is there any inconvenience we've endured that compares to Christ's suffering? There is no greater love than what our Saviour demonstrated, and He provided the greatest blessing through unparalleled inconvenience.

During this holy season, let's reverence the Lord Jesus Christ, who chose to bless us, even though this decision was wrought with inconvenience. Pray with me:

Prayer: Thank You, Lord Jesus, for being my Saviour. I reverence You for the sacrifice that You made to save me. Although this was inconvenient, Your great love compelled You to give. Amen.

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About the author:

Diane Virginia Cunio <diane@vinewords.net>
Germanton, North Carolina, USA
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