Just 20 words! Three simple verses. They may only be three simple verses made up by 20 words, but they are powerful. Paul simply says: 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) If there’s anything we’ve been reminded of over the past couple of months it’s this: We live in an up-and-down world. We expect life to have a few bumps and bruises along the way, but sometimes it feels like a roller coaster. We’re pretty much on the roller coaster right now, and if we’re not careful we can lose focus and perspective. Let’s get some focus and perspective back for just a second.
We can live a life of joy. It shouldn’t be surprising that Paul tells us to “be joyful always.” Joy was a major theme throughout his life. In every New Testament book that he wrote, with the exception of Titus, Paul spends some time talking about joy in some way. And this is a guy who experienced shipwrecks and beatings and starvation and sleepless nights. He faced all kinds of danger. And, oh yeah, he was in prison when we wrote parts of the New Testament. All of us face times of fear and struggle and worry and discouragement, but those times don’t need to rob us of our joy. Maybe we have it backwards sometimes when we hope to catch a little bit of joy to take away our discouragement and fear. Joy isn’t dictated by what happens in life. If the plan for finding joy in life is to be rich, successful, healthy, and loved by a lot of people in a pain-free, trouble-free life we’d better get ready for disappointment.
Joy is something that is promised when we remain in Christ and live a life of obedience. Jesus said: “If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father’s commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.” (John 15:10&11, NIV) Jesus is the source of our joy. We can be joyful always because there’s nothing that can take Jesus away from us. David once wrote: You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand. (Psalm 16:11, NIV) Just having a relationship with God is experiencing true joy. Live today with joy.
We can live a life of prayer. Paul instructs us to pray continually. Several years ago I fell and broke my leg and ended up in a cast and on crutches for 13 weeks. I was amazed when the cast came off and it was time to start walking again how weak that leg was. The muscle had definitely gotten flabby from the lack of use. Prayer helps us put our faith to use. When we’re not setting aside some time to pray then our faith begins to get flabby and can get a little weak over time. Understand, Paul is not talking about sitting in a chair 24 hours a day, seven days a week with our heads bowed and our eyes closed and our hands folded. That’s just not possible. It is possible, however, to have a prayerful attitude at all times. We should live a life that depends on God. We should acknowledge that He is present in our lives every moment of every day.
Paul says: …pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. (Ephesians 6:18, NIV) I often find myself in simple, short prayers throughout an entire day. Sometimes it’s simply, “Thank you, Jesus,” when I’m grateful for his help. Other times it might be, “Help me with this, God,” as I walk into a particular situation. Or it might be, “Please give me wisdom,” as I sit down to chat with someone. You don’t have to isolate yourself from other people and from your daily work in order to pray continually. God is keenly aware of every detail of your life so just open up a continuous conversation that lasts throughout the day.
We can live a life of thankfulness. Paul ends by saying, “…give thanks in all circumstances…” Being thankful is often about contentment. We realize that we are who we are and we have what we have because of the God we know and love. Colossians says: …just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness. (Colossians 2:6&7, NIV) We have so many things to be thankful for when it comes to who God is, what He’s done for us through Jesus, and what He is doing in our lives today.
God loves to hear His people say thank you. In Luke 17 there are 10 lepers who are crying out to Jesus. He tells them to go and show themselves to the priests, and while they are on their way they are cleansed and healed. Jesus has changed their lives. One minute a horrible disease that made them an outcast, the next minute they’re well. Only one comes back to say thank you. Jesus asks where the other nine are. He loves to hear us say thank you. Do this one thing with me today…tell God thank you for the way He’s changed your life. Thank Him for the new you.
Just 20 words! Three simple verses. But, it’s who God wants us to be.
Joyful and prayerful and thankful,
Brad
