Rejoice evermore.
Pray without ceasing.
In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. 1Thessalonians 5:16-18
There's a song I remember from a record that Mom and Dad had when I was small. It is just a short childrens' somg, but the tune is so catchy that I hum it to myself every time I read these verses.
It's the Holiday season again. Thanksgiving Day was this last Thursday and Christmas will be here in four short, short weeks. This year as we sat down to Thanksgiving dinner, smiling around the table at the faces of family, neighbors, and friends old and new, there was so much to be thankful for! Here we are all together, healthy, growing (a new sister in the family this year!). We have warm homes, reliable (mostly) cars, and jobs that provide enough for what we need. God is very good. Life is very blessed. As David says, "The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places". It is so easy to give thanks in these times.
But what about when it isn't?
As Christians, we are supposed to be a people who give thanks in every circumstance. By definition "every circumstance" means not just in the good times, but when things are hard. That is God's will for us. Seems like a tall order, right? But step back a moment and look again. Look with Forever Eyes. Look with an eternal perspective. Look rightly.
"thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ" - 2
Corinthians 2:14"Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or
persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written:
"For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be
slaughtered." No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him
who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor
demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor
depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the
love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord." -Romans 8:35-39
What can separate us from God? Nothing. Once we're His, He never lets us go. He is with us through everything that life throws at us and through Him we are victorious! That is how strong God's love is! Nothing can stand in His way. Hunger? Nope. Danger? Nope. Hardship? Nuh-uh. The government? No. Death?? Not a chance! This is seriously strong stuff. And this is something to be truly thankful for.
So here's something. I've heard it said before that "the only thing that can separate you from God is you." Hmm. But it seems to me that "you" falls under the subset of "anything else in all creation". So that rules "you" out doesn't it?
It is true that sometimes we choose to focus on problems instead of God. I've found it true in my own life that when I only look at my problems, the more I look at them, the bigger they seem until they look absolutely overwhelming. It's like I have blinders on or I'm looking through a pipe and the problem fills up the whole field of vision. But that doesn't mean you're separated from God. In fact, the moment you step back and look up at God, you realize how big He is and that He is more than able to take care of you. Usually you see that He is taking care of you and has been all along. You just didn't notice because you were so focused on trying to fix it yourself. This is where the pray without ceasing comes in.
"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition,
with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which
transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ
Jesus." ~Philippians 4:6-7
We can bring any trouble to God in prayer and we can be confident that He can take care of it. Praying constantly doesn't mean we have to be always on our knees - that wouldn't be very practical! They don't have to be long or eloquent either, just real. In The Practice Of The Presence Of God, Brother Lawrence puts it this way:
Let him think of Him as much as he can, especially in time of great danger.
A little lifting up of the heart and a remembrance of God suffices. One act
of inward worship, though upon a march with sword in hand, are prayers which,
however short, are nevertheless very acceptable to God. And, far from lessening
a soldier's courage in occasions of danger, they actually serve to fortify it.
Let him think of God as often as possible. Let him accustom himself, by
degrees, to this small but holy exercise. No one sees it, and nothing is easier
than to repeat these little adorations all through the day.
Focus on Him. Talk to Him. Cast all your cares on Him for He cares for you. That's where real peace comes from. That is where real Joy comes from, too. Deep joy. Joy that endures even through the bad times.
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he
has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus
Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or
fade—kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God's power until
the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. In
this you greatly rejoice" - 1 Peter 1:3-6
This is why we can rejoice. We have an eternal inheritance in Christ. Because Jesus came ad died for us and was raised from the dead, our sins can be forgiven (are forgiven if we are Christians!). And that means we have eternal life. This is real Joy.
So as we make our way through the Holidays this year, as Christmas Day finally comes with all it's cheer and then goes again leaving us with our normal routines, bear in mind that there is a reality beyond just what wee see and touch and hear and smell. While everyone is talking about Love, Thankfulness, Joy to the World, and Peace on Earth, just remember where you find the real things.
Let's keep our focus on the One who gives them.
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