Be Joyful. Pray. Give Thanks.
Always be joyful. Keep on praying. No matter what happens, always be thankful, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.
-- 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
What is God’s will for your life? Pastor Rob asked the congregation how many of us had ever really wanted to know what God’s will is for our lives. I don’t think any of us expected such a simple answer.
We believe God’s will is that we organize some big production. We believe God’s will is for us to make some grand gesture, perhaps on behalf of the poor. We believe that God’s will is that we do amazing things in His name. We think of those things when we consider what God’s will is for our lives.
But God’s will is that we be joyful. God desires that we keep praying. And God wants us to be thankful. Be joyful. Pray. Be thankful. So simple. And so profound.
What would happen if all Christians were actually joyful? More people would actually want to have some of that faith, some of that belief, some of that Jesus. Why? Because they would want some of that joy.
Many months ago Pastor Meghan spoke about what led her to a deeper faith. It wasn’t some grand revelation or major event in her life. She told us she looked around her home church and saw the people who really seemed to love the Lord and showed it during their worship time. He noticed the joy on their faces. She wanted what they had. And she got it. Because she sought it.
Pastor Rob told us a story of a woman who had been rejected by her own family. Her pastor didn’t know her story. He asked if a bear she was making was for her grandchild. She told him no and explained that the bear and others she’d made were for the children in her neighborhood. She’d decided that since she didn’t have a family, she needed to go out and adopt her own. And she had. Her life was filled with friends, adults and children, who were her family. She could have ended up sad and alone. Instead her life was filled with joy and love.
That’s the thing about joy. The person who gives joy to others, ends up getting more joy in return, Pastor Rob said. He’s right. It’s why volunteers often talk about getting more than they receive. There’s something joyful about helping others, doing for others, giving of yourself to others.
I’m not sure it’s possible to be truly joyful without embracing those around us. And can we truly be joyful without wanting to tell God, our Abba, our Father, all about it, singing His praises and praising His name? The more joy fills our lives and the more we sing God’s praises, the more thankful we become. It just works that way.
What is God’s will for our lives? To be joyful. To pray. And to be thankful. Sounds so easy. Give it a try. You’ll be amazed at the change in your life.
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