Putting It Together. Really?

Looking back over the last several days, we’ve been thinking together about 1st Thessalonians 5:18.

We started with the first four words, “In everything, give thanks.”  Then we backed up a bit, scooping up verses 16 and 17.  In the New International Version, those three verses are one sentence: “Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”   

Really putting it together like that starts to make some sense.  It’s not saying that any and every circumstance is God’s will for us.  You and I can make some goofy, stupid and clearly sinful choices that land us in bad circumstances.

God’s will for us in the midst of those bad circumstances is this: try to be joyful, and to pray, and to be thankful, “for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”  Something happens when we make those efforts.

In those moments of gratitude, prayer and joy, especially right there in our bad circumstances, we just might find some direction…

…maybe we’re not at a joyful juncture, so make a turn.

…maybe when we pray we realize we’re doing all the talking, so listen.

…maybe when we’re grateful we begin to see a glimmer of light, so move forward.

In “The Message” version of The Bible, these verses read like this  —  “Be cheerful no matter what; pray all the time; thank God no matter what happens.  This is the way God wants you who belong to Christ Jesus to live.”  Sounds clear to me.

Join me in taking a step in that direction today, and I’ll see you back here soon.