Well, 2020 is upon us and with this new year we will most likely encounter some prospects for new successes. As well, we will also encounter some new challenges.
For me, the ordinary and mundane days of life are sometimes the most challenging. When I try to balance business with the desire to experience true meaning in it all, it feels like I'm having fun on a swing while also trying to relax reading a book! Confusing? Frustrating? Yes! Cooking, washing dishes, doing laundry, going to work, sleeping and then waking up to do it all over again - where is the real substance in all of these daily routines?
Life gets really exciting at times too, in good ways and bad; a child graduates with honours, a new baby is born, the vacation of a lifetime; but then comes an unexpected bill, sickness, heartbreak, death of a loved one - each and every high and low causes our adrenaline to flow with either feelings of elation or devastation. Emotions go on roller coaster rides, from highs of happiness to lows of sadness.
Where do we find the happy medium, somewhere that keeps us secure and content in every circumstance of life? I found a scripture today that gave me the answer to this question; not a specific answer to a specific situation, but one that I can apply at anytime in my everyday life!
1 Thessalonians 5:16 says, "Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." Wow! There are a lot of emphatic words there! ALWAYS, CONTINUALLY, IN ALL circumstances; I am determined to realize from reading this scripture that there's definitely more to life than what meets the eye, because if I run my life according to my circumstances I will only be living for what I understand with my senses.
There's always something to be joyful about, it's possible to pray continually and I can give thanks in all circumstances. Why? Because Jesus is with me and I can bring back to my mind as many times as I want to that he's always there: loving me, teaching me, encouraging me, comforting me, helping and guiding me! That's more than enough reasons to be joyful, pray and give thanks! And these spiritual practices can be done anytime, anyplace, in any situation; whether I'm up or down; in or out; feeling elated or bored; no matter what, there's solid ground beneath my feet and so I'm going to start this new year being thankful for that truth and try to remember these instructions every single day. I know at times I will fail - that's ok. Even then, my Lord will help me get up and keep on moving!
What a wonderful God He is!
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