It is a gloomy morning outside here in NW NJ today. The skies are dark gray, no ray of sunshine found. The ground is wet, the leaves clumped in soggy piles on the ground. For weeks, no rain has fallen, allowing us to enjoy a long stretch of beautiful days but even that blessing turned into a curse as our water reservoir levels fell and vegetation withered. So, I am glad for the gloom. Today will bring a refreshing of the dry ground!
Are you in a
time of beauty, blessing, abundance, and overflow?
Or are you broken and stressed, needy and/or sad?
I have enjoyed seasons when laughter came easily, when I loved the dawn of a new day bringing rich opportunities my way. I have known stretches of darkness when I dreaded yet another long day that demanded my effort to push through sadness, finding it hard to even get out of bed. Honestly, most of the time my life experience is somewhere in the middle – joy mixed with sorrow; abundance challenged by need.
That is the human experience! We know both exhilarating and debilitating moments, seasons of sunshine and then those of rain, bright summers followed by cold winter.
A key to remaining steady, to avoid becoming a captive of wild swings of emotion, is found in the words of the Roman philosopher, Cicero, who suggested that “Gratitude is not only the greatest of virtues but the parent of all others." The person who actively pursues genuine thankfulness – to God, to others – is richer for the choice.
Paul, inspired by the Spirit of God, teaches the followers of Jesus to "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, NIV) This wisdom is not asking us to merely attempt to find the silver lining in the cloud. It is much more than just putting on a happy face. It is a choice that goes far deeper than saying positive things.
The preacher illustrates the power of faith that inspires gratitude that gives rise to joy in his own life. After being arrested in Jerusalem, he was passed from one cowardly politician to another, remaining in custody until finally he exercised his right as a citizen and asked for a hearing with Caesar in Rome! A terrible months-long journey followed and then he was held for months awaiting his trial. During that imprisonment, he wrote a letter to the new Believers in Philippi that we call the “Epistle of Joy!” In four short chapters, he teaches that joy flows from faith.
“It is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.” (Philippians 2:13) “Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. . .. He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” (Philippians1:2, 6)
His focus extended beyond the moment to the greater purposes and promises of God. "Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice! Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. Remember, the Lord is coming soon." (Philippians 4:4-5, NLT)
And he reminds us of the importance of taking charge of the thoughts of the moment, becoming wiser and more hopeful through prayer and perseverance. "Fix your thoughts on what is true and honorable and right. Think about things that are pure and lovely and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. Keep putting into practice all you learned from me and heard from me and saw me doing, and the God of peace will be with you." (Philippians 4:8-9, NLT)
Let’s remember, once again, he did not write this from some resort on the Med, sipping a refreshingly cool beverage, while tended by adoring staff members! He wrote from chains of Roman custody, after more than two years of one disappointment after another.
You can do it! God, the Holy Spirit, lives in you, works in you, and teaches you the Way – IF you will allow Him to lead you.
Happiness, as I have said so many times before, is fed by sunshine and great situations. JOY flows out of the heart that is anchored in faith, obedient to God’s direction, and hopeful in His provisions.
The word from the Word today is so very familiar to most of us. Don’t let that familiarity rob this inspired passage of the power that packs its punch. "I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. For I can do everything with the help of Christ who gives me the strength I need." (Philippians 4:12-13, NLT)
Steady on, my dear friend. Joy comes in the morning!
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(Video of this blog at this link)
