Monday, December 12, 2011

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.

Wednesday, November 30, 2011

What Makes You Happy?

Remember, dear brothers and sisters, that few of you were wise in the world’s eyes, or powerful, or wealthy when God called you.

-- 1 Corinthians 1:26

What if all Christians had bank accounts full of money? What if all Christians were successful in all they did? What if all Christians lived on the best streets, drove the best cars and ate at the fanciest restaurants? What if all Christians enjoyed perfect health? What if all Christians were physically beautiful, had loving marriages and perfect children?

That’s easy! Everyone would want to be a Christian -- for all the wrong reasons. Of course, it wouldn’t work that way. God knows our hearts and He knows when people only want Him for what He can do for them and He knows when people love Him for who He is.

Instead, God deliberately chose things the world considers foolish in order to shame those who think they are wise. And he chose those who are powerless to shame those who are powerful. -- 1 Corinthians 1:27

The truth is financial success doesn’t make you happy. Some of us joke that we’d like to try it one day but when you get past the basics of food, shelter and health, we really can be pretty happy. The trick is focusing our minds and hearts to being grateful for what we do have rather than what we don’t have.

See, all those people who think they’d be happier with more stuff, will never have enough. Those of us who drink from living water will always have all we need. Those other people who thrive on things of the world, look at God’s people and wonder what’s up. They don’t understand how we can be so happy, so content, so right with our world.

God chose things despised by the world, things counted as nothing at all, and used them to bring to nothing what the world considers important, so that no one can ever boast in the presence of God. -- 1 Corinthians 1:28-29

What’s important? The laughter of a child or making sure that child has the “best” clothes from the “best” store? Playing games as a family or attending “the” event of the season? Driving long hours in an expensive SUV and missing your kids’ school events or making a short commute in an older car and attending every event?

Christians don’t have perfect lives. Some of us struggle financially. Some of us have health issues. Some of us die younger than we’d planned. Some of us suffer broken relationships. And some of us have success and blessings beyond measure. Regardless of our circumstances on this earth, we are surrounded by a God who loves us, strengthens us, and promises an eternity in His Presence if we just seek Him and call His name. And that’s what sets us apart.

Wednesday, February 9, 2011

Call On God For Guidance

"I appeal to you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another so that there may be no divisions among you and that you may be perfectly united in mind and thought." -- 1 Corinthians 1:10

It was as typical as it was sad. Another family disagreeing over how to care for an elderly parent. My friend, an in-law with no vote, was exhausted as she tried to help with daily care for someone she loves. Everyone in the family wants what is best but sometimes what's best depends on whether you're thinking with your mind or your heart. And, really, who can separate the two when love is involved?

Sometimes the hardest thing to accept is the failing health of a close relative. We want to ignore it. We want to believe it's temporary and that our loved one will soon be better. We want to believe we can hold out to care for them the way our love dictates that we must. We resist hiring help because no one can care like a family member. But physical limits, jobs, children and other responsibilities get neglected as everyone focuses on the elderly relative. There is no easy answer.

Why do we resist asking God to intervene? Why do we try and work it out on our own? Why do we hold tightly to our opinions, refusing to listen to outside counsel? Why are we determined to hang on to our hurt rather than open our hearts to others who share our pain?

Maybe the first step -- after praying together -- is to talk calmly. Maybe it is listening even when our hearts cry out with pain because we don't want to hear the words. Maybe it is talking with a trusted advisor, such as a pastor, doctor or hospice worker. Surely it is continuing to pray together and alone for guidance from God.

In times of crisis, it's so important for families to draw together, using their love of Jesus and their loved one to unify their family. Don't let pain drive you apart. Instead, let God use it to draw you, together, toward Him.