"Be joyful
always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's
will for you in Christ Jesus." - 1
Thessalonians 5:16-18
There are so
many unhappy people in the world. They despise their job, disrespect their
spouse, are irritated with their children, want a better house and car and wish
they could go to some exotic island for vacation. They live vicariously through
books and movies, trading this figment of their imagination for reality. They
are usually so busy working to get more stuff that they do not have time to
attend church or to develop their spiritual life at all. Christians often fit
into this category as well.
If we change our
focus to eternal matters, we live each moment of the day in gratitude for what
He already provided. Then, He continues to provide our needs for that day as
well. As we live our life open to the leading of His Spirit, He puts us in the
right place, at the right time to carry out His will. No matter how desperate
the circumstances are in our life, He promises to work them all out for our
good (Romans 8:28) in His timing and in His way. All we need to do is to trust that
He knows what is best for us.
Having an
eternal viewpoint of life on this earth, gives us a whole new perspective on
what we experience. The carnal world and fleshly desires fade away, as we focus
on doing the will of God (1 John 2:17). God’s will is actually very simple. He
wants us to be transformed into the image of His Son (Romans
8:29). If we focus on Him,
He will take care of every other component in our life (Matthew
6:33). This way, we learn to
be content just as Paul did when he was shipwrecked, beaten, imprisoned,
hungry, exhausted, lonely and forsaken by all those he held dear (Philippians
4:12).
As we rejoice in
the Lord always (Philippians 4:4) and trust in Him instead of relying on our human wisdom (Proverbs
3:5-6), we end up walking in
His perfect will moment by moment throughout the day. We receive such a feeling
of oneness with our Creator, such a fulfillment from helping others in their
time of need and such a deep sense of joy the defies description (1
Peter 1:8).
Prayer:
Lord
Jesus, although Your love is too great to fully comprehend, let us experience
this love each day as we follow hard after You (Psalm 63:8). Let
us be made complete in You, with all the fullness of life and power that comes
from You (Ephesians 3:19).
Give us Your shield of victory and sustain us throughout the trials of this
life with Your mighty right hand (Psalm 18:35).
Thought for the Day:
Gladness and joy will
overtake us, and sorrow and sighing will flee away. - Isaiah 35:10