Skip to main content

Rejoice...

             Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. (I Thessalonian 5:16-18)

 

            It’s easy to rejoice and give thanks when something has just turned out well, and even easier when they turn out the way we want when they seemed to be heading in a different direction. It’s not too terribly difficult to pray when things are not going well, and we have a need we can’t get met another way. But how do we do all three of these things all the time? 

            One idea that comes to mind is that when things aren’t as we would like them to be, we have the opportunity to see God at work in our lives. We can give rejoice and thanks in our anticipation as we continue to pray over the situation.

            We can rejoice and give thanks, even as we pray because we know that in addition to God’s being at work in the situation, He’s also at work in us.

            There’s another issue that – on this Mother’s Day – it’s appropriate for us to consider. Sometimes, we seem to think that we shouldn’t need to rejoice or give thanks for what God does, because (after all) it’s His job. Today’s a day when we’re supposed to show mothers gratitude for all they do for us, not the normal attitude we exhibit when we spend the rest of the year demanding her dutiful slavery.

I’ve known people who got are tired of giving gifts for which they never receive any thanks. I get irritated with them because if we “owe” them gratitude, it’s not a gift – it’s a payment. At the same time, I’ve read a meme many times that says that people work harder when they feel appreciated. I believe this is true because people tend to suffer from burnout or compassion fatigue in a way that God does not. At the same time, it is good for us to feel and acknowledge gratitude just as it is important for us to hope. 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

"Especially to those who belong to the family of believers."

Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers. (Gal 6:10)   “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.   By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” (John 13:34-35)           Joshua grinned when he saw Rex standing by the door, studying something on the ground. "Hey, man! Are we ready to do this thing?"          Rex looked up. "Josh, I can't do it. We're still best buds, but I can't stand your fiancée."           I've met "Rex" many times. I've been Rex. Joshua (Jesus) loves the Church. He's not a fool. He knows the Church is far from perfect, but she is His chosen bride. The Rexes of this world, who think themselves His friend, turn away from her. "You don't need the Church to...
Post a Comment
Read more

Ssssssubmmissssssionnn

Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ . (Ephesians 5:21)             "Ssssssubmmisssssssionnn." Can't you just hear the serpent hissing this most horrible of words? If you listen to the serpent or the world, submission means groveling, allowing yourself to be abused, denying yourself your own humanity. Nothing could be worse than submission, could it?             Submission has never been a problem for me, as long as things are going the way I want them to. The rest of the time? Well, let's just say that while I don't know how to fight physically, I don't know how to not fight mentally. One of the fights I've been having with myself for years is about submission.             My first breakthrough took place on a trip to a bookstore. As I walked into the store, my thoughts were very clear. 1) I was goi...
Post a Comment
Read more

Shark Fins, Triple Dog Dares, Heroes, Villains and Sidekicks

Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up! Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12)            There's a scene in Jaws in which someone sees a shark fin and starts a panic. As   all the swimmers scramble to shore, boats surround the fin, which falls over to reveal two kids. With several guns pointed at them, one of the kids points at the other. The message is clear: it was his idea. In Christmas Story, there's a scene in which one kid "triple dog dares" another to do something stupid. Since it's a triple dog dare, well, what choice does the boy have? There doesn't seem to be any end to the trouble that peer pressure can cause. ...
Post a Comment
Read more